Speader bar installation ?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I got 90% of the way today. The Wife said STOP when the cuts and blood started to flow
. Sirloin steaks OK but not me. She knows what happens when I work on my Corvette. Working whatever wrench in there is a treat. Everything is so tight.So here are pics. The bar is too close to the fan and I will adjust that tomorrow: the bracket provides movement back for for this. It fits fine under the water pump pulley. Nice product SpeedDirect.
Last edited by Paul L; May 9, 2010 at 08:10 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I finished the installation today (we had snow flurries this morning!). I do have a concern that may be groundless but opinions would be appreciated. I will contact Speed Direct tech support. The pulley clearance is OK but the clearance between the fan blades and the bar is about 1/4" and that is with the bracket moved fully back. That seems very close. Does the fan move relative to the bar in operating conditions? If others have similar units with a stock factory fan I would appreciate knowing what your clearance is.
*Edit* - I forgot to remove the blood before the pics. Those who say this is a 10-minute job. Well....
*Edit* - I forgot to remove the blood before the pics. Those who say this is a 10-minute job. Well....
Last edited by Paul L; May 9, 2010 at 07:18 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
No worries Paul. the motor torque is rotational and that should not be a problem. As for the blades, the faster they go the more they flatten out so the clearence will increase when you are driving. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
There is no interference at idle.
Last edited by Paul L; May 10, 2010 at 09:36 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
When I put the bar in I just adjusted it out until there was a slight preload on the bar. I did this with the weight of the car on all 4 tires. You do not want to change the camber settings by screwing it to tight and moving the towers out. Just a slight preload is all that is needed.
with Gordon, it's a simple install, on my 73 however I did need to mark the location of the bracket tabs then have the tabs welded...
then a slight preload hand tightened.....
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
When I put the bar in I just adjusted it out until there was a slight preload on the bar. I did this with the weight of the car on all 4 tires. You do not want to change the camber settings by screwing it to tight and moving the towers out. Just a slight preload is all that is needed.
Last edited by 73jst4fun; May 10, 2010 at 11:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Whenever someone says it only takes X amount of time to do something on these dinosaurs I multiply that by 4 and that's just to get everything coordinated to start the job
Glad you got it in, do you notice any difference, feel a bit tighter in the front ?
Glad you got it in, do you notice any difference, feel a bit tighter in the front ?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I didn't drive the car, it was much too cold. And I am still worried about that small 1/4" gap. Hopefully Speed Direct will get back to me shortly as to whether the bar was designed for such tight tolerances. I have not heard from anyone using spreader bars with factory fans.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 239
Likes: 5
From: Rochester NY
I didn't drive the car, it was much too cold. And I am still worried about that small 1/4" gap. Hopefully Speed Direct will get back to me shortly as to whether the bar was designed for such tight tolerances. I have not heard from anyone using spreader bars with factory fans.
Paul, if this works out for you, I'm definetly getting a spreader bar also, I have been holding off getting one because none was made that fit without buying one that has to be welded, I'm also running with a stock fan.
Can't wait to hear what Speed Direct has to say.....
Thanks
Ulf
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Hey Paul. Here is a pic of how tight mine is. My bar is home made, but you get the idea of how close it is. Been there for more than 5 years and never had a thing there touch. My fan blade is not stock, but the rest is.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
As for the ease of installation; slow and tedious. You can get at the rear control arm shaft nuts with an 11/16" deep socket but the front nuts need a ratchet-end wrench. With box or open end...plan on many minutes. Yes, jacking up the frame until the wheel floats prevents loose and perhaps dropped alignment shims. That was a good tip earlier in the thread.
The pic shows the current status. Those little red spots...lots of sharp edges in that area. The Wife bought me work gloves today.
My first charity event of the year (End Women's Cancer) is next Saturday so I hope things work out. As well as the weather. We had frost last night and widespread frost is forecast for tonight. My garage is filled with flower pots around the Corvette.
I have not heard from Speed Direct.
Last edited by Paul L; May 10, 2010 at 03:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
It's a tight fit because they don't have much room to work with in any direction. Fans should flatten out when spinning, good luck and let us know if you can feel any difference.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Speed Direct has replied for which I thank them.
Greetings Paul,
What you are describing is typical. Under loading (while the engine is running) the fan is actually pulled toward to the front of the car thus creating even more clearance. If you are concerned and would like to slot the holes in order to move the bar back towards the pulley, that is certainly ok to do, but not necessary. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Looks like my installation is typical and acceptable. Let summer begin!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Yes, sometimes I am too cautious with my Corvettes. It's just a hobby and I don't have the greater knowledge of other people on this Forum. Those folks who do frame restorations for example. I am amazed at their competence. But I don't mind sharing my ignorance of the major issues. Others like me may benefit from my basic skills at the low-level tasks.
