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Posted by: Tdskip Oct 22 2020, 09:56 AM

If I need to adjust (or even replace) a fan belt on the 3.2L is in the car is there enough access to do that if the firewall sound deadening has been removed?

Fiddly at best would be my guess...

Thanks!

Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 22 2020, 10:24 AM

1st rule of mid engine cars applies -- Drop the engine.

Mark Henry and others have created access panels for easy access. For me that isn't an option. I just cant bring myself to cut a hole like that though I'm sure it works for fan access and alternator replacment.

Early on in my teener ownership I just learned to drop the engine. I will grant that dropping a six is not as simple as dropping the type 4. However, I still see it as the price of entry to the mid-engine cars. Pantera might the the only mid engine car that I can think of that looks remotely serviceable.

Had a work acquaintenace that owned a Ferrari 308. Same schtick. All sorts of creative ways to try to service stuff with engine in but he concedes that it was usually quicker to just drop the engine.

Posted by: brant Oct 22 2020, 10:27 AM

clay says its doable.
I'm guessing that the fight is not fun

I have the access hole cut, as it is just so much more service friendly

Posted by: Racer Oct 22 2020, 11:01 AM

If it can be done with a stock 2.0/6, then why not a 3.2? Sure, you have to work somewhat "backwards" or in a mirror, but I wouldn't go through the effort of dropping the engine to adjust/change the belt.

Posted by: Steve Oct 22 2020, 11:19 AM

I've done it several times with my 3.2. I use a harbor Freight swivel head socket wrench and the Porsche hub tool. I have no back pad. It is tight, but easily doable.
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-flex-head-ratchet-62321.html

Posted by: Mark Henry Oct 22 2020, 11:24 AM

This makes my life so much easier.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/4CaU9UQmFfk?t=58

Posted by: rgalla9146 Oct 22 2020, 02:49 PM

If you have the factory tool kit tools for your fan belt it is very doable.
I would add a magnet and a mirror to my glove box as well.
Count the shims between the pulleys !
Practice at home to be prepared.
Today people call road service for a flat tire.
Remove the engine ? ....better to spend those hours learning 'how to'

Posted by: Gint Oct 22 2020, 03:04 PM

I had no trouble doing it on a stock 2.0 6 cylinder. Is the 3.2 that much different?

Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 22 2020, 03:36 PM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=26

Love the red fan. I've been debating whether or not I'd need to have a red fan in a 914 since you really can't see it. This might have put me over the top. Did you powder coat or paint?

It just seems right.

Plus it adds like 15 HP right

Someday I'll be sitting by the side of the road with a tossed fan belt wishing I had just cut the damn hole.

Posted by: Coondog Oct 22 2020, 03:51 PM

Remove the back pad, make the cut then recover. Can’t even tell.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 22 2020, 04:23 PM

I will NOT cut a hole in something called a "FIREWALL"

That being said, Clewett engineering makes a serpentine belt kit for the 911 engines. It is a bolt on, and all you need to replace a belt is a 3/8 inch breaker bar. Just pull back the tensioner, and install the belt.




On the factory six, I have the special wrench it takes to replace the belt. It can be done in the car, but it takes patience. I change the belt every time I pull the engine, no exceptions. And I do that to adjust the valves.

Honestly, if I have to put a belt on in the field, I will just roll it on over the pulley. It will work until I can get the car home.

Posted by: mlindner Oct 22 2020, 04:52 PM

I get it Clay. But remember your only one rear glass away from you engine. You can put a small engine access in for belt and timing and cover it well fore and aft. Best, Mark

Posted by: Steve Oct 22 2020, 05:20 PM

I will be cutting a hole when my alternator dies, but not before.

Posted by: Tdskip Oct 22 2020, 05:42 PM

As always great discussion and considerations.

Posted by: Mark Henry Oct 22 2020, 05:54 PM

With my twin plug dizzy it's hard to see the base, timing would be a pain. I jumped in and fired it up and my kid had the dizzy dialed to 28* before I could turn around to look. I've already had to R&R my fan/alt and it makes it a relatively easy job.


My over sized access hole has a full frame welded in.

Posted by: PanelBilly Oct 22 2020, 05:56 PM

I changed my belt in the parking lot at WCR a few years ago. Not easy, but can be done. Since then I've cut a hole in the firewall.

Posted by: rgalla9146 Oct 22 2020, 06:49 PM

I have a car with an access and a car without.
With is certainly very convenient.
But there is no reason to poke a hole in an otherwise good condition stock
car ...... 914 4 or 6......gratuitous picture


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Posted by: fixer34 Oct 23 2020, 03:07 PM

I did the belt replacement with engine in the car many years ago. Was much younger then...

Had the car less than year, driving down a Texas highway, at night, 900+ miles from home. Heard a loud clatter, alternator light went on. Pulled over real quick. Picked out pieces of belt and waited for engine to cool a little. Fortunately had the factory toolkit (or most of it) along with a spare belt. Got the pulley loose, but didn't remove it (VW experience taught me about the shims), slipped on the new belt and tightened it up. All by feel and highway lights. Not something I'm anxious to try again, but less time than dropping the engine (even if I could..)
If you are worried about it, try doing it once in the comfort of the garage.

I've also swapped alternators a couple times with the engine in the car. Pull the carbs, then the fan housing. There was another thread on here about that.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 23 2020, 03:15 PM

Best story so far. I like it. I took the postion of drop the engine out of habit becuase that's the way I look at mid engine cars.

Really encouraging to know that it can be pulled off in car. You sort of have to figure Porsche planned on roadside service when they included the fan wrench and belt in the tool kit. Back when men were men and expected to be able to use a tool kit. Ah, days gone by. Guess I'll have to practice it in garage with eye's closed once I finally get it converted to /6.

Posted by: horizontally-opposed Oct 23 2020, 03:39 PM

So if you don't want to buy a plaid factory tool kit remake, and don't want to fight over original tool kits with the concours mega-bucks crowd, but do want to build up a useful tool kit for your 914 six conversion...

Any leads on how to get the specialized tools—particularly for the fan belt?

Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 23 2020, 03:55 PM

Really only two tools (well maybe 3)? Stated tonque in cheek having clearly admitted I've never actually done this job in car and on a 914.

1) the fan pulley wrench
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PELTOLP208.htm?pn=PEL-TOL-P208&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItdC_kdjL7AIVjcDACh30awN8EAQYAiABEgK55PD_BwE

2) What ever magic low profile tool you can find to turn the fan pulley nut that fits between the nut and the bulkhead. I'm thinking ratcheting gear wrench type tool.

3) Magic breaker bars to get more leverage on the other two tools since the nut will invariably be too Fuching tight to easily loosen while you're contorted into the engine bay! I supect I'd want one long enough to fit the pulley wrench but yet land on the side engine shelf/frame on the passenger side. The other to be short enough to still move it within the engine compartment and not be hitting the engine lid when I turn it.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 23 2020, 03:58 PM

I really find this appealing but didn't someone just run into a clearance issue between serpentine belt pulley and the crank fire ignition tone wheel from Clewitt? @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=18763 ?

Posted by: nditiz1 Oct 23 2020, 04:30 PM

I did run into issues with the OEM style mount and that Clewett kit. Somebody could make it work.

I too am NOT going to be cutting a hole. If it needs adjusting or replacing, I will just drop the engine.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 23 2020, 04:44 PM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=18763

Thanks! I thought there was something about it. I definately plan to use the OEM style mount for NVH reasons. Hmm. Did you happen to grab a picture of how bad the interference was? I wonder If I could modify a MadDog mount to make it work?

Posted by: nditiz1 Oct 23 2020, 05:19 PM

I did take pics.

I'll shoot some over to you. The fit was very close. With some washers you probably could get it to work. I was worried about shift rods and trans mounts and all so I went back to stock setup.

Posted by: Mark Henry Oct 23 2020, 05:35 PM

The fan was red when I got it in a parts lot, I knew it couldn't be seen so I ran with it. Not sure if it's powdercoat or catalyzed auto paint.

I think Motor Miester used to paint their fans red.

Posted by: sixnotfour Oct 24 2020, 02:58 AM

Hardest belt ever to change is a 76 with air pump....just sayin..

Posted by: dr.tim Oct 24 2020, 05:13 PM

Make one. Welder, 24mm socket, 1” angle iron.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 25 2020, 06:46 AM

extra points for making your own. Love it. Bookmarked.

Posted by: mepstein Oct 25 2020, 11:02 AM

Someone had put a torch to a flat wrench and put some bends in it to access the nut. Looked pretty slick. I’ll try to find a pic.

Found it


I was thinking that one easy alternative to a hatch would be a 1-1.5” hole in front of the fan pulley nut. Just large enough to stick a socket or impact gun to the nut. You would still have to work all the parts on and off through the engine bay but it’s really loosening and tightening that nut that causes issues.

Disclaimer - I’ve never fixed one on the road so no real experience.


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Posted by: Maltese Falcon Oct 25 2020, 05:18 PM

Small access plate on Sonauto #40

Posted by: GeorgeRud Oct 25 2020, 05:38 PM

I also just got a closed end wrench for the pulley nut and bent it with a torch to get the needed clearance at the firewall. However, I think that dropping the engine and doing all the service needed at once is a much less frustrating choice.