<VV> Fan Tensioner

[Ron]

As far as tensioners go, I run the factory stock tensioner on four different 
Corvairs (including one Ultravan) and have NEVER thrown a belt.  Yes, I've 
had a couple of belts fail by disintegrating into pieces, but have never had 
one "thrown" in the last twenty five years of driving these cars.  I can't 
see any rationale for using an after market tensioner.
RonH


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy Clark" <slowboat at mindspring.com>
To: "VV" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Cc: <fastvair at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 10:25 PM
Subject: <VV> Re: [fastvair] Fan Tensioner


> I've run both the Clark's and Lon's new style tensioner.
> I've had Lon's on the '66 140 sedan with a stock fan for about a year now
> with no issues. The car is street-driven with occasional forays into the
> 5000-6000RPM territory. Never has thrown a belt.
> The Clark's (OTTO) style I ran in Orange Julius ('65 Corsa race car) in 
> So.
> Cal. for about 8 years and in the PNW for 4 years. The fan was cut down 
> and
> the only fan belts I threw were the wide type. Believe it or not, the very
> best fan belts were sold by K-Mart- and I still have 3 or 4 of then
> somewhere. These withstood regular 7000-8000RPM jaunts on autocross 
> courses
> and at vintage racing events.
> So, my experience has been excellent with both styles of tensioner.
> Particularly with the OTTO style. it's all in the careful set-up of the
> geometry when you install it. Lon's tensioner doesn't require such care-
> slap it on and you're good to so.
> Andy Clark
> 1966 140/4 Monza Sedan
> 1966 140/4 Yenko Clone
> 1966 180/4 Cord 8/10 #60
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David Clemens" <yenko66 at cox.net>
> Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 6:46 PM
> Subject: Re: [fastvair] Fan Tensioner
>
>
>> I have run the tensioner from Lon Wall since it was first released. The
> first production had a weeker spring in it and mine threw a few belts in
> autocross conditions. When Lon had the problem fixed (second production 
> run)
> He gave me a replacement spring for mine. Since I have installed that 
> spring
> I have not thrown a belt in over 4years of competition. I have run 
> Countless
> autocrosses and Several time trials all with no belt issue's.
>>
>> Prior to Lon's tensioner I tried both style tensioners that Clarks sells
> and neither of them worked very well. I was throwing belts at every
> autocross no matter how easy or hard I was shifting.
>>
>> Also for reference... I run a stock non cut down fan with a High output
> New style GM Alternator (73amp) I also run a stock fan pulley.
>>
>> I have used Lon's style tensioner on every customer car and none of them
> had any belt issue's.
>>
>> David Clemens
>> Stinger Motorsports
>>
>>
>>
>>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>>   From: Dave Keillor
>>   To: fastvair at yahoogroups.com
>>   Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 4:43 PM
>>   Subject: [fastvair] Fan Tensioner
>>
>>
>>   I'm looking for feedback on fan tensioners to be used on a Corvair that
>>   will see some autocross and track use. RPM in the 6,500 range. What
>>   are your experiences and comments on:
>>   -- Lon's new spring loaded design
>>   -- Clark's design
>>   -- Stock
>>   -- Other?
>>
>>   Dave Keillor
>
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