How much range in the belt tensioner?
 

Attached are two images of fan clutch bearing brackets
The firs t is for an 86 300E the second a 90 300E

I have come to the sad conclusion that I cannot use the 90 bracket on my 86
If anyone knows any differently please speak up and let me know. I am not sure if there is enough play in the belt tensioner to allow for the disparity of these two brackets.

If as I suspect I can not use the 90... would it be possible to have a machine shop rebuild the bearing? Or is that just not done.
Then I would be stuck ordering a new one.

I am trying to save a small amount of money here to help cover my unbelievably astronomical gas bills this winter.

So can this be jury-rigged or what?

Assuming that all of the bolt holes are aligned and the depths of the pulleys are the same could you install a longer or shorter belt that has the same number of ribs (if applicable)?

Bite the bullet and get the proper bracket for your 1986 300E rather than jerry-rig something because that will only introduce other problems.

I am close to that point but not quite there yet :D

Ok so forget about the wrong bearing bracket.

Has anyone ever had a "bearing service" rebuild one of these or something like it?