The Initial Freshening
Go to <Last, Summary, Next>Cooling—Fan Bearing Is Shot
 Radiator and Mercury emblem on 1926 Kissel Speedster |
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| FAN BEARING AND BELT: The fan bearing is shot and the fan belt needs to be replaced (left). A view of the engine compartment after installation of new hoses and clamps, disassembly and polishing of the thermostat housing (brass and steel at top right of engine, right photo), and a leather fan belt from a Model T. |
The bearing on the cooling fan is shot. It won't hold grease and immediately sprays any grease that's added all over the engine interior. At some engine speeds, the fan rattles and vibrates as it oscillates on the shaft because of the warn bearing.
The fan belt is warn and needs to be replaced. Lynn has some difficulty finding a suitable replacement, finally finding a 1-1/8" wide 36" long leather belt for a Model T Ford on Snyder's Antique Auto Parts. Subsequently Lynn has learned from reading his copy of 1927 Dyke's Automobile Encyclopedia that the proper fan for Bugsby is 1" wide and 34-9/16" long, although the one he got from Snyder's seems to work well enough. Lynn isn't even certain that a leather belt is historically accurate for use on this car. But this belt has been a real hit with spectators -- they seem to get a real kick out of seeing the leather belt on the car, especially when its running.
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Last updated: May 24, 2009