Re: Fan belt width

Posted by Tim Cole On 2014/1/26 9:16:33

Hi Phil:

Those belts have been a problem for ages. The squeal comes from the inside of the belt accelerating at a different rate than the outside of the belt as it goes around the pulley.

The wider belt rides higher in the pulley so that a portion is not subject to the acceleration change and absorbs the differential.

Anyway, try running a lower tension. The old timers used to set those belts so that they could turn the fan with their hand. There is still plenty to drive the generator and water pump, but there is enough slack to absorb the speed difference as it goes around the water pump.

Another option is ordering a custom sized belt. McMaster-Carr lists 11/16 and 7/8 belt widths. It takes a little work to estimate the circumference. I did this once for a Model 18 Packard. I don't remember off hand the width of the pulley on the junior Packards.