Joined: Fri Mar 09 2007, 02:34PM
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 661
So I had some driving to do Wed nite. I had to drive to a friends workplace in Newtown, then we were to go to a discussion group in Cherry Hill.
Earlier that day I was checking my timing and playing with my carburetor. I noticed that my belts were getting raggedy. I put them on when I forst got the car in 2002, so they were almost 15 years old. But I said, ah screw it for now. I'll get to it some day.
So I'm on 95 north about 5:30pm and I hear some racket with the fan. One of the dual belts had snapped, then wrapped itself around the fan, and the belt whipping around hit my rubber transmission lines at the bottom of the radiator. Son of a %^#@$%#@%#@@!!
Fortunately, My friend picked me up and we went to our discussion group. Meanwhile, in a McDonald's parking lot, I managed to adjust my lines, pull the belt off the fan, and I made it home later that night. My trans slipped from the loss of fluid, but the next day I added a quart and the car drove fine.
Joined: Fri Mar 09 2007, 02:34PM
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 661
Friday I had time before I went to work, so I got this far.
The dual pulley belts are about 63.5" each. I got those on first.
the ps belt I got was the wrong size. I couldnt put it back together Friday.
I was about to tighten the idler belt when I discovered the pulley wasn't screwed onto it's bracket that well. I took it off and wondered if I should replace it.
I called the big three (AZ, PB and Adv) and they can't get it. Fortunately it seems to be OK for now. I tightened it as well as I could.
Joined: Fri Mar 09 2007, 02:34PM
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 661
At first I got the wrong PS belt. The catalog at advance says 15495, but it was too short. I had a 15500 on there before from 2002. While I was at work, I found a 15 510, and I figured that would work.
Here's the new belts tightened, and the new pieces of trans cooler line to the radiator.
finally by about 3:45pm I got it all back together today. I touched up the paint on the radiator and painted the fan shroud after I fiber-glassed it.
Joined: Fri May 08 2009, 10:41PM
Location: Finger Lakes, NY
Posts: 315
Had that happen to me with one of my '68 Newports. I had just bought it in TN and was driving to Upstate NY. Somewhere around Columbus, OH. The belt let loose on the interstate and took out my alternator for good measure. Got off - pulled in to a White Castle. Happened to be coffee time for some retired guys. Long story short - those guys knew another guy with a flat bed, who knew a guy nearby who just worked on classics. $125 and a case of beer. Three hours later I was back on the road!
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 01:33AM
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 5893
My rule of thumb has always been, replace the belts just before winter and throw the "newest" old ones in the trunk along with a wrench. Some people replace them before the summer driving season, but I've always preferred minimizing any chance of a winter break down.
Joined: Fri Mar 09 2007, 02:34PM
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 661
The car runs OK with the new belts, but I must have messed up one of the sending units. It has both a coolant temperature sender and temperature switch. My temp gauge suddenly is all over the place and is usually pegged at hot. I am not overheating.
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 01:33AM
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 5893
The temp sender is on top of the block at the front, right in the path of a flapping belt. The wire is a push on fit to a stud sticking out of the top. check that it's still connected. You might have to gently squeeze the sides with pliers if the inner part has spread to make a loose connection.