Fan belt access on a /6 once car is installed Options

[Tdskip]

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!

[Superhawk996]

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!

1st rule of mid engine cars applies -- Drop the engine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

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.

[brant]

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

[Racer]

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.

[Steve]

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!

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-p...chet-62321.html

[Mark Henry]

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!

1st rule of mid engine cars applies -- Drop the engine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

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.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
This makes my life so much easier.


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

[rgalla9146]

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'

[Gint]

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

[Superhawk996]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
This makes my life so much easier.

@Mark Henry

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 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Someday I'll be sitting by the side of the road with a tossed fan belt wishing I had just cut the damn hole. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hissyfit.gif)

[Coondog]

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

[ClayPerrine]

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.


(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.clewett.com-1143-1603405557.1.JPG)

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.

[mlindner]

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

[Steve]

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!

1st rule of mid engine cars applies -- Drop the engine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

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.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
This makes my life so much easier.


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

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

[Tdskip]

As always great discussion and considerations.

[Mark Henry]

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.

[PanelBilly]

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.

[rgalla9146]

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

[fixer34]

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.

[Superhawk996]

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.

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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[horizontally-opposed]

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?