Decided to install a spreader bar since I switched over to electric fans and had all this empty space in front of the water pump all of a sudden.

Orders a un-welded kit from VBP and couldn't quite get the location I wanted without dropping the bar lower than I liked so ended up machining a set of brackets out of some 1x2 tubing (inside dim = 3/4 which is the same as the ball-ends on the bar.

Couldn't get enough clearance to the water pump pulley when trying to mount it behind the front stud so I moved it forward, maybe not ideal but it should still work better than dropping the mount point below the axis of the control arm rod.

The 7/16 mounting holes are slightly slotted to allow for the alignment shims to angle everything around.





Drivers side has the belt from the P/S running up to the Alt so some additional clearance got added to that side









Good clearance on the bottom, a little close on the top, so I took another 1/4" off on the top only. Should be plenty of room for some belt flexing, plus it's on the "tight" side of the belt Will have to double check once everything is running.

Lots of room in front (might even be able to change a belt if I needed to)





Tucks up but clears nicely the SPAL fans




A little lipstick for the pig







And a final check










I'll remove the bar and brackets to make the alignment guy's life easier and then re-install afterwards using the 12-pts nuts I needed to use to fit inside the tube.

Another step closer
M

 

Me likey and awesome work. Let me know how noticeable of a difference it makes. I have been looking at mine even though it has the original fan but no PS and trying to figure out if I can get one in there.

 

Nice work on everything. Looks great. T

 

Thanks
Try a search on Günther-C3, he made an adapter between the fan and pulley and managed to sneak a bar in. I stumbled across a post from him showing a picture of the piece but was looking to change the fans anyway
M

 

Mooser,
Very creative solution to get all of that to fit so cleanly.

I'll bet that the brackets work as good as they look, too. Congrats, for a great build.

 

Nice clean work as always.

 

Very nice work, this is something that I will add either this summer or next.

 

awesome job!!

 

Just beautiful!!

I have a spreader bar on my 68 with a ZZ4 and the GMPP Serpentine kit.

The spreader bar was installed by Dick Guildstrand at his Motorsports facility in Burbank Ca. The spreader bar gets rid of front end flexing.

I'll be putting one on my 70.

It you have an all cast iron BB, the spreader bar is really good to have. The weight of the BB will eventually bow the front crossmember, bring the top of the two spring towers closer together and making the car very hard to align.

 

Good job well done.

 

That looks really good.