Custom Fabrication Suggestions/Requests?

geordi · **Posted:** Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:24 pm

I was referring to the stock belt length when saying "stay with the same size" versus any changes such as various deletes.

I can see where some people may want to eliminate the fan or just get a better bearing / pulley setup (like me!) but retaining the stock belt size just makes future work easier.

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:04 pm

Rodger.

Here's some better pics of the "Upper-Bracket" installed with the taurus-fan removed:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hnjpqz5w5t2b7 ... 1.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/20a7qg7sk4j9j ... 8.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xap2hvjbr8moc ... 3.jpg?dl=0

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2018 4:34 pm

Next problem:

Over a year ago I purchased 2 of the forum-recommended pulleys online. This is a pic of the smooth pulley and its included reverse-threaded bolt & its pulley-flange:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/90swkiuti1bm7 ... 3.jpg?dl=0

Note how much deeper the flange-insert is compared to the stock pulley-insert:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/knx4jf1k9zdp9 ... 2.jpg?dl=0

Question:
Should the lower-pulley be fabricated for the depth of the stock, thin pulley-insert, or for the forum-advised online-purchase thick pulley-insert?
Or, designed for a different thickness altogether?
Or, maybe they could integrate a matching-diameter inner pulley-insert into the bracket itself, removing that concern entirely!
Thoughts?

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2018 4:38 pm

I'm not sure which recommendations you were following, but the smooth pulley you pictured is a timing belt pulley not a serpentine belt. The depth of the insert is only correct for the timing belt system.

To answer your question, whatever depth of insert is needed to properly land the pulley perfectly in line and square with the other pulleys so the belt is not being sheared or driven in a different direction. That is the correct size of insert that you will need.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2018 4:39 pm

Also the material of the pulley is irrelevant, it is not carrying much weight and plastic timing idlers would be fine. It is the BEARING that wears out and causes concerns.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:04 pm

Ah-so; timing-belt pulley!
Hmmm... well, that's about right cuz I was doing HG/TBELT/ARPS/ROCKERS etc etc. However, I know I replaced the tbelt idlers w/new, so I thought these were for a future VH-delete. At the time that mod meant nothing to this crd newbie, it just sounded like a future "must", so I ordered the pulleys.
However, apparently my memory of their purpose is mistaken.
Now I've gotta' figure out what I bought 'em for. Arggh.

Anyway, you're saying the pictured pulley-insert matches the depth of the stock tbelt pulleys. Okay. Cool. Thanks!

I'll ask the shop if it's much more work to integrate a pulley-insert into the lower bracket. Sweet n simple.
Edit- That design would presume that ALL desired substitute-pulleys will share the same ID(Inner diameter). I think all the pulleys I've procured are 20mm ID.

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2018 10:38 pm

Okay. Back in the saddle 'n back to brackets.

I re-read all posts to get back up to speed before setting the local fab shop loose. Someone (credit later) made mention that it would be cool if the Mech Fan could still be mounted on the New!, Lighter!, Improved! Pulley bracket.

I'm mulling the design feasability.
The obvious first question: Why bother?
The entire objective is to install a high cfm electric puller to replace the mech-beast. They can't both squeeze into the available space between the radiator & engine. Therefore, the only purpose would be to ease swapping the elec out and the mech back in.
That requires a LOT of extra design, engineering and fab just to save re-installing the four bolts that mount the iron-beast pulley.

I suppose that if the new assembly was significantly lighter with heartier bearings then it might be a desirable replacement for the stock setup. While also providing instant access to VH and AC deletes. Hmmm...

Hope this finds you squirrely CRD enthusiasts in fine spirits.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2018 12:09 am

Doin ok here, Gypsy. Glad you're back. Hope all's well.

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:09 pm

Thanks, G. Ditto.

Reflecting, I don't think it's advisable to pursue an alternative mech-fan mount. The diameter and weight of the iron-beast is probably intentionally engineered to offset the mass of the mech fan, harmonic-balancer style.
Better to stick to elec fan setup w/lightweight dedicated idler in place of iron mech pulley.

Prototype steel MF replacement bracket about two weeks away.
The Maestro has offered to fab subsequent brackets as single-piece aluminum unit rather than as two separate steel brackets.
Cool prospect, but durability of the threaded-sleeves for the idler mounting-bolts are a concern; the quality of the aluminum matters.
No quote yet...

Cheers

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:04 pm

Here's the (finally) finished 2nd half of the Mechanical Fan substitute bracket:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5uht945u9ahyj ... 1.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/662nn6rfpblqx ... 8.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/21q6ztq5g994z ... 9.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/utcvi6i2jmunm ... 2.jpg?dl=0

Great; AC pulley just in time for North American Winter!

So:
Yes, I'm using a tbelt pulley instead of an accessory belt pulley.
Sue me.
Seriously though, I see only good reasons to use a wider flangeless pulley. On either side in/out to this pulley, the crank pulley & AC pulley both have guiding flanges so there seems to be no danger of the belt shifting off this intermediate smooth idler. And, it's one less flange to abuse the belt's edges.

I'm very pleased with the quality of the fab shop's work.
They're going to give me a quote for a single integrated dual-pulley bracket within a week.
Aluminum will be an option, but obviously at higher cost.

If there was enough interest, I'd consider approaching this as a complete "Mechanical Fan & Viscous Heater Elimination Kit".
Including:
- Integrated Replacement Bracket w/pulleys/bolts/spacers.
- Direct-Mount High CFM Electric Fan (=/>Taurus) w/CRD-fit Custom Shroud & OEM MOPAR plug to utilize existing gasser electric fan circuit (and/or an independent thermo-probe & relay setup).

Or, JUST THE DUAL-PULLEY INTEGRATED BRACKET, and you guys can source your own pulleys, bolts & spacers, as well as fan/shroud/wiring, etc.

Thoughts & Interest, if any?

Cheers

Custom Fabrication Suggestions/Requests?

Who is online