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Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 2 Attachment(s)
Hello to ALL....
I have a '36 Ford pickup with an alternator and wanted to replace the Fan Belt with new. I utilized a 7/8" x 1 1/4" long Coupling Nut (with 1/2-13 NC internal thread) and a 1/2-13 NC x 1 1/4" long Hex Head Bolt. I used round cardboard cut-outs under the Coupling Nut and above the Hex Head Bolt to make sure I did not scratch the paint on the intake manifold and bottom of the Alternator. Slowly turning the Hex Head Bolt counter-clockwise put tension on the Fan Belt. Worked perfect so I wanted to share and hope it may help someone else out there. Just curious as to what others out there do for Fan Belt tensioning. Bruce in Ca. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Broom handle. 8^) Jack E/NJ
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... double post
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Quote:
Same thing over 50 years ago.( Necessity is the mother of invention ) |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... I use a 2x4 with a long diagonal cut on one end. I really like this coupling nut thing and can't wait to copy it. Thank you Bruce!
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Good idea. It is tricky to tighten the fan belt on these motors, at least I always thought so.
We have a '36 PU too, anxious to see yours when done please post pics:) |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Just don't get them so tight that they screw up the generator.
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 38Bill...
I was in the garage today and my fan belt on the '36 PU had about 1 and 1/8th inch deflection at the half way point of the belt. I snugged it up, knowing about not being too tight, and now it has just shy of an inch maybe 7/8ths inch. It seemed before that my ammeter was bouncing just a wee bit at idle and I was concerned the belt was slipping a tad bit. I was brought up to make sure they were about 1 inch of deflection. Is this too tight now?? |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 1 Attachment(s)
Where the heck is that thread about cool tools that people made or use?
It's from years ago from what I remember. A V-8'er had grafted a wrench to a prying point to help lift that stubborn genny with a lever applied to it. JM35's super engineered steering and rear hub pullers were in there too! I love your idea because adjusting that belt without getting a little medieval is a challenge. Just recall your deflection at midpoint. That belt don't have to be TIGHT to spin the pumps and power maker. But too tight will jack their shafts up eventually. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1615247922 https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1615517399 |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... I use a big bar but, I like this better. Thanks for posting.
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 3 Attachment(s)
This is the most elegant tool I've seen, I have it saved as being "1950FordF1"s. (from FTE I suspect) I tried to make one like it but was not successful.
Vergil on here posted the "fulcrum" that bolts onto the WP bolt. Works well but really needs another bolt to keep it from rotating. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 2 Attachment(s)
Here are a couple of pictures of "Vergil's Tool" :
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Mr. tubman, Any chance of reposting those photos to make them larger?
Thanks. I found it: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...n-belt.971007/ |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Mr. tubman, Any chance of reposting those photos to make them larger?
Thanks. Sorry for the double post. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 2 Attachment(s)
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Did more searching. Can anyone post a photo or explain how the tool shown in Post #41 works?
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...t=55015&page=3 |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Thanks tubman, After I posted , I did a little more searching and found larger version of your follow up.
Thanks for responding. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Now that fulcrum point looks like a good idea too.
Thanks. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Quote:
It appears your fan belt is not correct - too long. Factory fitment had a much smaller "open space" between the generator and chamber cover. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Kube I think you are right, as I'm almost out of adjustment the gennie sits kind of high.
This is the belt that was on the truck when I bought it, never gave it much thought. I'll check into it. All I ever did was look for splitting on the 'V' showing time to replace. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 1 Attachment(s)
I have one of those "fan belt fulcrums' on my truck..... takes about 50% of
the fool-around out of setting the belt tension. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...8&d=1615571288 |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Thanks 51 Merc- CT for posting that excellent photo. Just curious, that black flathead has some unusual pulleys, mounts and oil pan. Where was that engine used?
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 4 Attachment(s)
19Fordy, the tool to which you refer in post 41, the link to older tool posts is actually my tool. Surely the most complex of the tool suggested, but no more difficult to use. Sets up in seconds and gives easy adjustment control.
The tool anchors on the bolt mounting stud for the generator through the top with a deep socket. It then clamps the generator mount foot. By simply cranking the nut on the bottom you are raising the generator effortlessly. So you put the tool on, loosen the stud bolt and crank the bottom nut. When the desired tension is reached, you tighten the generator mount nut, pull the socket out of the top and remove the tool. more photos below: For Helmit style distributors, you need to remove the coil. For crabs you do not need to remove the coil. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Russ, That is a very slick tool. It has that KR WILSON persona. Well done.
I would like to make one. What did you use to make the U shaped channel bottom piece? Was it adapted from another piece of material? |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 1 Attachment(s)
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Also the timing cover has a built in distributor lock down screw and cam end play adjusting screw. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1615586085 |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... It was one of those days when you ask yourself what am I going to do today. There had been a bit of talk about how difficult it can be bending over forward and trying to pull up the gen and get things buttoned down securely. I decided I had only one purpose that day, and it was to think through an elegant but simple way to do the job. It was really fun as I worked my way through ideas, and solving obsticals.
The bottom clamp for the generator mount is made from part of a piece of angle iron. The "V" like piece is shaped to give max height lift to the gen and the tab in the middle of the V is to engage the slot the mount has to allow adjustment. The two pins help stabilize the bottom bracket limiting any side movement. This is what makes it so easy to get the tool properly seated eliminating a lot of fidgeting in the process. The lower foot behind the pins also adds to the stability of the tool. With experience you could actually do the job with the tool and use one hand. I could CNC them in quantity but they would probably have to go for $50. |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Thank you Russ for the reply. There might be a few folks willing to pay the $50 but not enough to justify the manufacturing cost. Manufacturing is expensive.
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... I will tell you from experience that making things for these old engines has to be a labor of love. You will not make any money doing it. That being said, I would do it again in a heartbeat.:)
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Quote:
still pretty cool and probably the most precise method/tool I've seen for belt adjustment. Old thread for stuff like this. Lot of great ideas from inventive people. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56112 . |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Quote:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1323832585 |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... 3 Attachment(s)
Here is another method.
Cover the blade of a long screwdriver (to protect the paint) and place the point of the screwdriver in the little valley behind the distributor and block and aligned so that the screwdriver blade is under the appropriate bracket. Then pull up on the screwdriver handle and snug up the bolts. |
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Russ: Great idea for a tool!
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Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Any pics of tensioners/fulcrums for the 59 block where the wire looms are in the way? Thanks
John |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... We had good luck using an engine hoist and a strap to set the tension on the generator and fan belt. I think I picked that up over on FTE.
JB |
Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Quote:
This thread has gone all over the place, but not in a bad way. But we've gone from a couple of pieces of cardboard, a bolt and a coupling, to an engine hoist. |
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