Fan belt for f-1 with shroud

[Vanspeed]

Hey guys I bought a fan belt for my 48 F-1 through early ford, part number 21a-8577. My books say this is correct for an F-1. The belt got here today and it is a replacement Goodyear belt, part numbers are not the old 21a-8577. I put the shroud on and with the new fan belt I can not raise it high enough for the fan to miss the shroud. Can somebody tell me th correct length belt? This had a 34 on it that might be the length. Anybody else run into problems with the belt length?

[rotorwrench]

The OEM belt P/N 21A 8577-A for the 48 thru 53 F1/100 with the 239 L-head V8 is listed by circumference at 37-inches.

[Vanspeed]

Well that's a bummer because that is what mine is.

[Ross F-1]

Not sure where your numbers are from, doesn't agree with the 48-56 Parts book. The length does about agree.

[Vanspeed]

Where do you think the problem is? Radiator is original. If I pull the belt off and bring the fan up to it's maximum it clears but not by much. Radiator is mounted correctly and not sitting high or anything. Motor mounts to low? How close is the fan to the bottom of the shroud on trucks?

[rotorwrench]

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The part number 21A-8577-A is listed in my 1948 to 1955 truck parts catalog. FoMoCo did supersede numbers if a later part number was same or similar. The part number begining A8AZ is under the newer part number coding that started after 1952 or so. The earlier catalogs list the older part numbers.

The FoMoCo numbers don't reflect the size like Gates, Goodyear, & Uniroyal used back in the day. If you have the original fan assy, generator mount, radiator, shroud, and engine mount biscuits, a 37" belt should fit well. Most of the trucks with the 239 V8 all used the same radiator & shroud but there were exceptions. You need to make certain that you have the correct shroud and fan blades. From what you mention about the fan being at the end of it's adjustment just to fit at all makes the shroud or fan suspect.

If you can adjust the fan to a point where it fits, you can use a piece of rope to get a measurement for that circumference. You can buy V-belts in all sorts of width & circle sizes from Grainger and maybe other sources. You may be able to custom fit the parts that way in order to fit what you have.

[Vanspeed]

Everything is original except I bought the shroud from a fellow on here as mine was missing. It is a correct v-8 shroud. My motor had been taken out by the previous owner. I do not know if the mounts (biscuits)were changed. Seems odd to me that the fan has to be at it's highest amount of travel to clear the shroud.

[Dick]

Are the rubber insulators still under the core support? Mine were missing as was the plate on the bottom of the support itself. This might raise the radiator enough to get the clearance needed. Just a thought.

[Vanspeed]

If anything my radiator needs to come down. My fan hits the bottom of the fan shroud so my engine is either too low or something else is wrong.

[rotorwrench]

What diameter is your fan? I think they were 18.5" diameter originally.

[Vanspeed]

Just got home and took it all back apart. Fan is 4 blade, 18.5 across.

[Ross F-1]

The shrouds aren't really stout, it's possible during shipment it got bent a little. As I recall the mounting holes are also slotted, maybe you can gain some there? Even so, I have had to "persuade" the opening a bit to gain clearance (on the side, in my case). If you can buy a belt 1/2" or so longer, that would be the simplest.

Ain't it a treat tightening those belts over those wide fenders?

[Vanspeed]

Ok I got it to fit after taking everything apart. I hammer and dollied the bottom a bit. It is still very close at the bottom, within an 1/8 inch of touching. I started it up and everything sounds fine but I think I am going to hunt down a belt that is 1/2 inch longer. And yes Ross those fenders are a pain to work over!

[Ford Freak]

I had to slot the holes on mine to get it in a position where it cleared the fan top & bottom . There is not a lot of clearance . My buddy's hits when he revs the engine good , and torques to the right .

[GreenMonster48]

I ordered the "correct" size belt and ran into the same problem. I ended up going to Tractor Supply and buying a couple different size lawnmower belts and tried them until I found the right size, returned the others.

I've since ditched the shroud because I got sick of trying to line all that crap up.

[rotorwrench]

I've noticed that some of the catalogs list the old B-6038 & B-6039 as engine mount cushions for the F series trucks but the OEM catalogs list the 51T-6038-A and 59T-6039 as the engine mounts for the F series V8 thru 1951.

This may not make a hill of beans worth of difference but I thought it interesting enough to note since it may have some bearing on this problem.

[DD931]

Logic suggests that the front of the engine is too low - pointing at the front motor mounts. I think they are the regular "rubber biscuit" design that are widely available. I'm on the road, so I can't check my truck parts manuals(s).

[Vanspeed]

Originally Posted by DD931

Logic suggests that the front of the engine is too low - pointing at the front motor mounts. I think they are the regular "rubber biscuit" design that are widely available. I'm on the road, so I can't check my truck parts manuals(s).

I tend to agree with you here. My mounts are the buiscuit type but they are old, maybe original. I would love to know if somebody out there has used the above mentioned belt and had lots of room.

[Ross F-1]

I have installed the spec'd belt on a '49 or 50 F-1, with no problems.

Here is the listing for front motor mounts.

[Vanspeed]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster48

I ordered the "correct" size belt and ran into the same problem. I ended up going to Tractor Supply and buying a couple different size lawnmower belts and tried them until I found the right size, returned the others.

I've since ditched the shroud because I got sick of trying to line all that crap up.

I completely understand the frustration with the shroud and lining things up but since the shroud has been on I have noticed a dramatic difference in how hot the engine gets. It warms up now slowly instead of jumping up to temp. It runs a heck of a lot cooler.