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Synchro909 · 07-14-2018, 07:05 PM

IMO, over tightening the belt is about the most common mistake owners make. By its very design, a vee belt doesn't heed to be tightened much at all. It wedges itself into the pulley and drives just fine. The more drive needed, the tighter it wedges. I run an alternator and with either a notched or plain belt, I leave about 2" slack when tested between the water pump and the crankshaft pulley. By "slack", I mean no tension AT ALL on my fingers for 2" of movement in the belt.
More tension only cuts out the water pump bearing, which is under engineered anyway, especially with the soft shafts supplied these days.
If it squeals, use some belt dressing or even a little soap.

07-14-2018, 07:05 PM	#9
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Fan Belt Tension IMO, over tightening the belt is about the most common mistake owners make. By its very design, a vee belt doesn't heed to be tightened much at all. It wedges itself into the pulley and drives just fine. The more drive needed, the tighter it wedges. I run an alternator and with either a notched or plain belt, I leave about 2" slack when tested between the water pump and the crankshaft pulley. By "slack", I mean no tension AT ALL on my fingers for 2" of movement in the belt. More tension only cuts out the water pump bearing, which is under engineered anyway, especially with the soft shafts supplied these days. If it squeals, use some belt dressing or even a little soap. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.