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Triumph TR3 - Fan Belt replacement

I tried to replace my fan belt in my 1959 TR3. There does not seem to be enough room between the belt pully and the radiator. What do I need to to do to replace the belt.
Scott

Scott - With the original belts that were about 3/4" wide on the top and between 1/2" and 3/4" in height, they were very hard to put on. But the replacement belts as the originals (Made in Germany) check yours - they don't last a couple of 1000 miles. They are too hard, have no flex, take up too much power and break before the normal life expectancy. They just don't seem to want to curve around the pulley - so they break. My last one like this broke on the highway near Peterborough, Ontario when I was doing close to 90 miles per hour. Did it ever scare me.

But I had a spare. It was a Gates 308 (if I remember the number correctly). Anyway, it's a modern cogged or toothed belt. It measures about 5/8" across the top and is only about 3/8" to 1/2" in height. Because it's smaller and more flexible because of the teeth, it's easy to put on. Only takes a few minutes.

My records show that was on July 29, 1993 and it's still on the car. And since then, I've driven my TR3A a total of 51,000 miles with that belt.

Check with your Gates supplier as they may have a newer number. Take your broken old belt as well as the one you've been trying to put on for comparison.

Good luck !

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A - TS 27489 LO
Don Elliott

Scott + other interested TR3 owners

I was just starting to pack for my trip to VTR in Minnesota and looked at the spare belt I have been carrying in the "boot" since 1993. It's a Gates Made in USA marked 19AO970. Also 19mm x 970mm. Also 13/16" x 38". It is toothed as I said above.

This is the Gates number on the packaging for Canada as of 1993.

Let us know what you decide and what you found out.

BTW I suppose I'll have another 3,000 miles or more on my TR3A when I get back on 10 days. That will make 6,000 this summer.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

This thread was discussed between 12/07/2002 and 13/07/2002

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