reddish brown fan belt

[jm29henry]

I am still looking for a red fan belt sold by brattons and l&l any help ?

[Purdy Swoft]

Good luck, I bought one from Brattons in the ninties, as far as I know, they no longer sell them. The reddish brown belt that I got was a little too short. About the easiest way to install the too short belt was by removing the generator pulley and working it on like that. After stretching on the too short belt, it didn't last very long.

[Joe K]

If you're stuck on the color, then true "aftermarket" sources may have to be developed. Reports on original belting seem to indicate that it "varied" from brown to black depending on Ford's particular sub-contractor at the time.

As a "driver" I have been less concerned. More important, as Purdy says, is that the belt "fit" right. Standard sizes of gates belts (inch dimension) from Auto Zone didn't cut it - it seems the size is a little inbetween the Gates belting measure.

Instead I inquired of my friend and part supporter Joe Tambolleo at Tam's and he was aware of the problem. "You need this belt" he says pulling a particular belt off a hook.

Gosh dern if it didn't fit right including belt section/depthing in the pulley grooves, and some measure of adjustment left on generator location to be sure the tension was correct.

So I bought two more just like it.

Tam's the man on belt fit.

Joe K

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

We just make them for our customer's car. You can do the same.

[Purdy Swoft]

Though I haven't tried it , dye could probably be used to change the color . The colored part of the belt doesn't fit down in the pulley groove and shouldn't be subject to contact wear . I've had good luck dying vinyl and convertable tops .

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Yes, they do fad and it does rub off after several months of driving, but the dye is easily rubbed back on with a rag. Below are a few that we have done over the past few years.

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[Ruth]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Yes, they do fad and it does rub off after several months of driving, but the dye is easily rubbed back on with a rag. Below are a few that we have done over the past few years.

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Very cool. Is that the color they were on the early Model As? I notice one has red hoses also?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Ruth

Very cool. Is that the color they were on the early Model As? I notice one has red hoses also?

Basically the same color as the 1928 Steering wheels were. Camera differences is what makes the color of the fan belt seem different between the photos. All in the pictures were basically the same shade & color.

[PalAl]

I used red oxide spray paint primer, took a while for the paint to come off the pulley side but the outside still looks good. You get a lot of comments/questions with a red belt

[McMimmcs]

Did the color wear off the original red belt after use?

[Brad in Germany]

For color comparison, here is a newer aftermarket red fan belt (on top) and two low mileage original era Ford Model A fan belts (middle and bottom):




.....and the part number and Ford script on the lighter colored (middle) original fan belt (on the inside surface of the fan belt):




.....and the part number and Ford script on the darker (bottom) original fan belt (on the inside surface of the fan belt):



There are no numbers or other stampings on the outside surface of the two original Ford fan belts.

In the Swap-Meet area, there is/was also an original fan belt for sale with several photos as well (thank you Gary ):
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285739

Brad in Maryland

[Jim/GA]

Those belts are very cool, Brad.

Do you think the color has changed (faded) over all these year? So something like the darker red oxide or Brent's color is more original?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Jim/GA

Those belts are very cool, Brad.

Do you think the color has changed (faded) over all these year? So something like the darker red oxide or Brent's color is more original?

Jim, I cannot answer 100% since these were manufactured outside of Ford however when I have judged Area 3, we were looking for a color very similar to an original red radiator hose. Because the texture was coarse and it was laminated layers, the red color also gave off a brownish tint. In my pictures above, all of those belts are all the same dye formula. I think the color differences is the camera picking up the different background colors. Also, we have learned that soaking in wax & grease remover helps remove the oils in the outer layer of the belt. The more oil that is removed, the 'duller' the surface finish is when dyed.

[Gary Karr]

Here are a couple additional shots of an original belt. It is definitely more towards the brown tones and quite different from the red stripe on original radiator hoses.

[Y-Blockhead]

I have a RED belt that I carry as a spare... Oh, wait. different kind.

r

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Gary Karr

Here are a couple additional shots of an original belt. It is definitely more towards the brown tones and quite different from the red stripe on original radiator hoses.

Gary-
I don't think Brent was comparing it to the red stripe on original black/red radiator hoses. I think he was comparing it to the red radiator hoses, the ones that are all brownish red.

[Pat/Ohio]

Here are the belts on my '32 Model B and Model 18 that I dyed with a product I purchased from Roy Nacewics (R.I.P). Perhaps Michael Driskell at Third Generation Parts in Tenn. can provide it.

Stay Safe!
Pat

[PalAl]

Originally Posted by Pat/Ohio

Here are the belts on my '32 Model B and Model 18 that I dyed with a product I purchased from Roy Nacewics (R.I.P). Perhaps Michael Driskell at Third Generation Parts in Tenn. can provide it.

Stay Safe!
Pat

Wow pat, what nice neat engine compartments..... nice work

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Pat/Ohio

Here are the belts on my '32 Model B and Model 18 that I dyed with a product I purchased from Roy Nacewics (R.I.P). Perhaps Michael Driskell at Third Generation Parts in Tenn. can provide it.

Stay Safe!
Pat

I have never seen better kept engine compartments. A fantastic job for sure!

[Pat/Ohio]

Originally Posted by PalAl

Wow pat, what nice neat engine compartments..... nice work

Thanks PalAl!