Discussion
Hi all, 
Can anyone shed light on the fanbelt I should be using for my 2.8 Tasmin? It has no power steering. Currently I am shredding belts like they were going out of fashion and it would be good to get the right one before I do any real mileage!
MoT due on Friday and then... the world is my oyster, as long as I can find the spondullocks to put petrol in the tank!!
Can anyone shed light on the fanbelt I should be using for my 2.8 Tasmin? It has no power steering. Currently I am shredding belts like they were going out of fashion and it would be good to get the right one before I do any real mileage!
MoT due on Friday and then... the world is my oyster, as long as I can find the spondullocks to put petrol in the tank!!
Hi Mate...It should be a ford capri mk3 belt but you will need to establish the correct length as they vary...If you use a piece of string and go round the pulleys then measure the overall length...When you say shredding are they physically ripping?...Check the pulleys for any damage....Ziga
mrzigazaga said:
Hi Mate...It should be a ford capri mk3 belt but you will need to establish the correct length as they vary...If you use a piece of string and go round the pulleys then measure the overall length...When you say shredding are they physically ripping?...Check the pulleys for any damage....Ziga
....and for alignment. Pulley tensioner tension ....could be jumping if knackered.
After you measure, as per Mark, buy three one larger one smaller....return the other two.
A couple of ideas, things to double check etc. May or may not be useful, but ya never know !!
1. Are the pulleys lined up correctly ?
Sounds nuts, but I KNOW for sure there are 2 different water pump offsets, I suspect there are actually 3 different ones, but can't prove it. If your pulleys aren't lined up, they can shred the belt.
2. will the water pump and alternator turn easily ?
Always worth a two second check !! Also, is one pulley more polished or worn ? may be OK, but may also be suspicious.
3. Are all the pulleys clean and undamaged ?
Any nicks, burrs on the sides and edges can damage the belt - you can file off burrs carefully.
4. Not common for 2.8V6, but have you made sure crankshaft endfloat is OK - if crank pulley moving in and out, can cause problems (this idea from Triumph 2500, which did have thrust washer problems)
5. Check crank pulley isn't loose - some 2.8s have a two piece crank pulley (second part for power steering), but it may still be there. Check centre bolt too. (also check alternator and water pump pulleys too)
6. Is alternator mounting solid ?
The Ford 'U' cast bracket can crack/break and leave the alternator able to flex quite a bit....had this happen to me, and belt jumped off completely.
Last - DON'T tighten the new fan belt too much - having had a few 2.3 and 2.8 engines, the water pump bearing is a bit marginal, and overtightening can knacker it quickly, and then it leaks. (it can also cause pump bearing to go stiff to turn as it gums up, see 2)
Hope this helps !!
Andy.
1. Are the pulleys lined up correctly ?
Sounds nuts, but I KNOW for sure there are 2 different water pump offsets, I suspect there are actually 3 different ones, but can't prove it. If your pulleys aren't lined up, they can shred the belt.
2. will the water pump and alternator turn easily ?
Always worth a two second check !! Also, is one pulley more polished or worn ? may be OK, but may also be suspicious.
3. Are all the pulleys clean and undamaged ?
Any nicks, burrs on the sides and edges can damage the belt - you can file off burrs carefully.
4. Not common for 2.8V6, but have you made sure crankshaft endfloat is OK - if crank pulley moving in and out, can cause problems (this idea from Triumph 2500, which did have thrust washer problems)
5. Check crank pulley isn't loose - some 2.8s have a two piece crank pulley (second part for power steering), but it may still be there. Check centre bolt too. (also check alternator and water pump pulleys too)
6. Is alternator mounting solid ?
The Ford 'U' cast bracket can crack/break and leave the alternator able to flex quite a bit....had this happen to me, and belt jumped off completely.
Last - DON'T tighten the new fan belt too much - having had a few 2.3 and 2.8 engines, the water pump bearing is a bit marginal, and overtightening can knacker it quickly, and then it leaks. (it can also cause pump bearing to go stiff to turn as it gums up, see 2)
Hope this helps !!
Andy.
Edited by RCK974X on Tuesday 18th February 22:32
I seem to remember that throughout Delilahs time with me she had various belt sizes mainly due to going from the original Maestro PAS pump to a capri one and then having the alternator fitted on the opposite side due to the blower..I think it started as a 1075 and ended up an 1180..All good advice above, I actually had a slight nick in the tensioner pulley that was cutting the belt...If need be i may have a pulley and brackets..I have most definitely got two pumps...Ziga
Yep, Zig just reminded me - even the 'standard' Cologne engines had different fanbelt lengths in different vehicles due to different brackets and pulley sizes and so on.
I don't know if it's still true, but it used to be that the part number was also the length of the fanbelt ??
And if you do have power steering the PS belt is wider (and longer) than the alternator/water pump one.
In case you didn't realise, the original Ford power steering pump setup is on the same side as the fuel metering head (have a look at a Capri 2.8i pic), the wedges have a TVR setup on the alternator side, as there isn't enough room.
Before I moved to NZ, I had a few shops in Manchester which knew me and trusted me well enough to lend me stuff (like several fanbelts) .... really useful !
I don't know if it's still true, but it used to be that the part number was also the length of the fanbelt ??
And if you do have power steering the PS belt is wider (and longer) than the alternator/water pump one.
In case you didn't realise, the original Ford power steering pump setup is on the same side as the fuel metering head (have a look at a Capri 2.8i pic), the wedges have a TVR setup on the alternator side, as there isn't enough room.
Before I moved to NZ, I had a few shops in Manchester which knew me and trusted me well enough to lend me stuff (like several fanbelts) .... really useful !
Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 19th February 03:27
Lord! this will teach me to keep watching the topic! Thanks all for the advice. I will be checking length: I think the reason they are shredding is that the current belt is too narrow and sits too deep in the groove. Can't see any nicks and the pulleys look to be in line (fingers crossed).
I think the alternator is non-standard, which really doesn't help! And this car doesn't have power - H E A V Y - which writes out most of the standard belts, I think.
Thanks for all the advice. I will come on line when the MoT is past, if not passed... then off to Gary Creasey in Wheathampstead for a bit of trimming.
The best to you all, Shane
I think the alternator is non-standard, which really doesn't help! And this car doesn't have power - H E A V Y - which writes out most of the standard belts, I think.
Thanks for all the advice. I will come on line when the MoT is past, if not passed... then off to Gary Creasey in Wheathampstead for a bit of trimming.
The best to you all, Shane
Too right - There's several threads on what to look for to fix the heavy steering, clutch, headlamp pods too !! 
and there WERE non PS versions of Cologne V6 powered cars.
Try early 2.3 Cortina, early 2.8 Granny (I think) which didn't have PS either.
and there WERE non PS versions of Cologne V6 powered cars.
Try early 2.3 Cortina, early 2.8 Granny (I think) which didn't have PS either.
Edited by RCK974X on Thursday 20th February 19:25
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