RV8 - Throwing Fan Belt

[keithyboy]

My TVR V8S threw a fan belt four times on Sunday at an airfield Ride Drive event. Consequently I spent a fair bit of time under the bonnet that could've been better spent hooning around. Admittedly the car was driven harder than ever before (often sideways ) and regularly up to 5500/6000 rpm which I only occasionally reach on the road. I'm told that this is not an uncommon problem with racing RV8 engines and that deeper channeled pulleys are available to cure this. Anyone, particularly TVR owners, ever had a similar problem and is there an alternative solution?

[Pies]

Could yo convert it to a serpentine type ? ive seen the cogs on ebay before

[TimW]

Yea dads does that too. when your really hammering it through gears. it rips it off in a tempa tantrum.

[andys2]

Not sure if the TVR uses the same system but on my 3.9 Range Rover the fan belt has a tensioner wheel that is mounted on a pin. The mounting arm has a pinch bolt in and when it is slackened the arm not only pivots around the pin, but moves front to back aswell. If yours is the same make sure the tensioner pully is bang inline with the water pump pulley, use a straight edge to check it. On mine it's possible to get it quite a long way out if your note careful. Also check the bearing in the tensioner. If it's got any play in it, that could cause the belt to be thrown off at higher revs.
Hope all that makes sense!!

Andy

[Boosted LS1]

Mis-alignment or a lack of tension will throw the belt.

[GreenV8S]

Mine has been exploring the full rev range for the last 140,000 miles and doesn't muck about with fan belts, so you know the problem can be sorted.

Once when the fan belt was badly worn it starting chucking it off, I replaced it with one that was slightly too wide and it chucked that off too, then I replaced it with the right one (which was off some completely unexpected car, Skoda or something) and it's been fine ever since. If the belt is original and in good condition then I would also check for the right belt tension, and that the pulleys are aligned properly (especially the alternator) and that the water pump and alternator bearings are OK.

[AM400]

keithyboy said:

My TVR V8S threw a fan belt four times on Sunday at an airfield Ride Drive event. Consequently I spent a fair bit of time under the bonnet that could've been better spent hooning around. Admittedly the car was driven harder than ever before (often sideways ) and regularly up to 5500/6000 rpm which I only occasionally reach on the road. I'm told that this is not an uncommon problem with racing RV8 engines and that deeper channeled pulleys are available to cure this. Anyone, particularly TVR owners, ever had a similar problem and is there an alternative solution?

I have a Poly V drive kit fitted on my 400SE, quite rare by all accounts, they were fitted by NCK Racing now TVR Power to high revving engines to avoid throwing the belt, I have seen a few SEAC's with them fitted and the works Rover SD1 rally car!

If anyone knows where I can get a replacement belt that would be great, I cant find one anywhere including the factory and its the original so when it gives up im knackered!

[2 sheds]

AM400 try V8 Developments they should be able to supply you one.
I agree that if the belt comes off there probably tension / alignment problem or wrong belt, its worth checking this with a long steel rule, i've seen cars with mis-aligned pullies.
Tim

[AM400]

Cheers Tim I will give them a call