The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Shop Area The Engine Shop Burning Fan Belt- '52 3100

Is there a polished area on the oil shield which covers the front motor mount where the belt or pulley is making contact with it??

Roy, the front motor mount is under the harmonic balancer. Both the water pump and alternator pulleys turn freely without wobble. I could understand how a bad bearing could cause the problem, but that doesn't answer why it only happens when going around a right curve. I can drive all day with no problems and the first sharp right curve I go around will cause result in the belt burning so much I can smell it while driving. After a few of these curves- snap!

Steve, what do you mean by funky mount setup? Are the pulleys not lined up?

Seems to me if something were rubbing as you were making the turn you would hear it since it burns the belt so quickly.

I will be as glad as you are when you finally figure it out. Wish I were closer. Would love to take a look at it with you.

Please let us know what you find cause I would like to know.

Turning hard right would make the engine list to the left (drivers side). Is the driver side engine mount close enough to the alternator it could catch the fan of the alternator on a hard turn? But I would think you would hear that happen, it would be pretty loud.

Be pretty obvious too because the fan and what ever it hit would be chewed up shortly.

Hmmmm....

Does anyone know if there is a solution to this issue? I have the same problem only when I turn left.

1049 3100 with a 1956 235 CI w/ alternator

Hope to get some advice - THX for your help

People have discussed heavy amp loads binding up the generator/alternator.

Is there anything electrical that may be trying to short or create extra load on the system only during right hand (or left hand in ia49's case) turns? Maybe a wire under-hood or under-dash that has enough slack to move and touch something it shouldn't, or something to do with the horn or turn signals in/around the column when the wheel is turned a few turns that way? Is the battery secure? Is the ammeter indicating anything odd during turns?

Mount a Go Pro camera under the hood pointing at the fan belt and take a test drive. The other option is to recruit a friend with the C.O. Jones to ride a fender with the hood partially raised, and watch what's going on.
Jerry

Did you check your rear mounts- if one is toast/loose/broken, it might cause the engine to lean during cornering. When I bought my '50 3600, the harmonic balancer was barely rubbing against the front mount cover. After pulling the engine I found a squishy front rubber block in there... sounds to me like one of your mounts is either loose or worn out. It is possible that even your rear crossmember could be cracked/loose.

Also, I'd like to be there to see someone try to "shake" a 700 lb engine to see if the mounts are bad....

I think the only way to check it out would be to try to gently jack each one of the rear mounts to see if the trans lifts at all... Good luck!

You can also put the parking brake on, put it in gear and gently let out the clutch while someone watches the engine to see if it moves/rolls left/right at all.

I am trying to understand how a loose motor mount/rocking engine will change the orientation between the fan belt and pulleys, causing the belt to burn.

ditto on Carl's comment

Also, I have IDed loose motor mounts by rocking 235/261 engines "in place". (this was embarrassing because they were new and I had installed them)