Timer belt interference
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Topic author - Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2021 12:03 pm
- First Name: Kevin
- Last Name: McNamara
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe
- Location: Gunnison Co.
Timer belt interference
Hi I am brand new to Model Ts (although Ive owned this one for 10 years I just started work on it with my son) When i got it it had a rebuilt motor, so we took the body off and started putting it together. We have it so it runs but the timer lever and rod interfere with the belt when we advance the timing more than 1/2 way. Has a new day timer and 4 blade fan. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. download/file.php?mode=view&id=78407
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- First Name: Jim
- Last Name: Sims
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 17 touring 20 roadster 21coupe 25tudor 25 pickup 27 coupe
- Location: Reed City, MI
Re: Timer belt interference
Not sure if this is your problem, you may want to try a shorter fan belt. This will move the belt away from the timer.
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- Posts: 5174
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Tomaso
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
- Location: Longbranch, WA
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: Timer belt interference
I'm following Jim here - what year T are you referencing ?
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Topic author - Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2021 12:03 pm
- First Name: Kevin
- Last Name: McNamara
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe
- Location: Gunnison Co.
Re: Timer belt interference
1925 Coupe
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- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
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- Location: Texas
Re: Timer belt interference
Like Jim says it’s either using a longer than needed belt, the timer rod needing rebending to clear the belt but from the looks of it without more views a shorter belt may do it.
This sometimes happens when putting an engine together so your not the first.
This sometimes happens when putting an engine together so your not the first.
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- Posts: 3813
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Treace
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: ‘12 open express,'23 cutoff, '27 touring
- Location: North Central FL
- Board Member Since: 2000
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Re: Timer belt interference
As noted by others, be sure the fan and belt length selected places the fan arm to the lowest position. The fan blade should be very close , about 1” or so to the lower hose.
Also be sure the lower hose is trimmed in length to prevent impingement of the timer rod's full travel.
Once that is checked , if the belt still rides on the timer case, re-check the timing, as the timer rod may be mal-adjusted. Re-time instructions can be found on search of forum posts.
Also be sure the lower hose is trimmed in length to prevent impingement of the timer rod's full travel.
Once that is checked , if the belt still rides on the timer case, re-check the timing, as the timer rod may be mal-adjusted. Re-time instructions can be found on search of forum posts.
Last edited by DanTreace on Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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Topic author - Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2021 12:03 pm
- First Name: Kevin
- Last Name: McNamara
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe
- Location: Gunnison Co.
Re: Timer belt interference
I will try a shorter belt, seems like the last picture from Dan shows the fan a lot further to the drivers side than mine is, any idea what length you are using? Thanks all for the help.
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- First Name: Jerry
- Last Name: Van
- Location: S.E. Michigan
Re: Timer belt interference
I believe 27" would be the size, IF you're using all stock parts of the correct model year, (lower pulley, fan bracket, fan hub, etc.), and no water pump.
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- First Name: Andrew
- Last Name: Clary
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout 1926 Coupe. Mercury Speedster #1249
- Location: Usa
Re: Timer belt interference
I weld and recut the notch on the timer brush to allow the timer to rotate further counter clockwise. You then have plenty of travel before reaching the belt. I find this problem more common on the Anderson timers.
Andy
Andy
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- First Name: Mario
- Last Name: Brossard
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring and 1914 speedster
- Location: Quebec City Canada
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Timer belt interference
For that reason I don't like Anderson timer. I used new day timer as well
Super Mario Bross
1911 Touring
1914 Speedster

1911 Touring
1914 Speedster
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Re: Timer belt interference
As John says, you're not the first. 

The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- First Name: Robert
- Last Name: Giles
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster
- Location: Johnstown, Pa
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Timer belt interference
I have a mis-match of parts on a Speedster. With low radiator/high radiator/short fan mount/long fan mount combination possible, things can get complicated. I had a new aluminum fan pulley that I machined to move the belt away from the timer.
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Topic author - Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2021 12:03 pm
- First Name: Kevin
- Last Name: McNamara
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe
- Location: Gunnison Co.
Re: Timer belt interference
I puled the belt last night and it was 28 1/2 inches so i will try a 27" and let you know.
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- Posts: 5174
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Tomaso
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
- Location: Longbranch, WA
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: Timer belt interference
You found the problem !
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- First Name: Scott
- Last Name: Wendt
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Fordor
- Location: Portland Maine
Re: Timer belt interference
This is a good topic and Dan your pictures and comments are very helpful. I noticed some loss of my timer lever travel this fall and my lower hose had move up a tick and caused that same problem.
A replacement radiator for this spring and will trim down and check that lower rad hose again. The forums are priceless.
A replacement radiator for this spring and will trim down and check that lower rad hose again. The forums are priceless.
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Topic author - Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2021 12:03 pm
- First Name: Kevin
- Last Name: McNamara
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe
- Location: Gunnison Co.
Re: Timer belt interference
An update on my problem, the 27 inch belt fixed the problem thanks for all the pictures and information! On with the project hope to put the body back on by the end of the month.