The Ford Barn

oldford2 · 03-16-2021, 02:08 PM

Most of the belt tensioners tools were for an 8ba. The 59 engine wire looms don't allow their use. Here is one I made that provides a fulcrum point a bar or piece of wood. uses a front manifold bolt to attach. John

fulcrum.jpg

oldford2 · 03-16-2021, 02:17 PM

sorry, double post

35ragtop · 03-16-2021, 03:04 PM

Good idea John,
we also have the problem on a 59 engine with adjusting the smaller fan belt. It is a real fiddly job to get it tight enough and the bracket square to the generator bracket. The only place to lever off is the distributor vacuum piston bolt which I dont like doing.
Any suggestions?
Dave

Tinker · 03-16-2021, 10:23 PM

We are still talking about adjusting a belt right???

I believe the stock tension is 3/4" tension play in the belt no matter how you get there. Meaning after its tight you can push the belt in 1/2 to 3/4'.

Art Newland · 03-17-2021, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3twinridges

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

I have to agree here. As long as you have a cherry-picker style engine hoist readily available, it's very simple to roll it over to the vehicle, put a strap ( I use an old piece of ratchet-strap) around the generator. It's very simple to very precisely add belt tension. The only bending over needed is to loosen/tighten the mounting nut. It may sound like over-kill to use a hoist, but I didn't have to fabricate anything, it doesn't scratch anything, and my back doesn't hurt when I'm done.

03-16-2021, 02:08 PM	#41
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,087	Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Most of the belt tensioners tools were for an 8ba. The 59 engine wire looms don't allow their use. Here is one I made that provides a fulcrum point a bar or piece of wood. uses a front manifold bolt to attach. John fulcrum.jpg

03-16-2021, 03:04 PM	#43
35ragtop Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gold Coast , Australia Posts: 251	Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Good idea John, we also have the problem on a 59 engine with adjusting the smaller fan belt. It is a real fiddly job to get it tight enough and the bracket square to the generator bracket. The only place to lever off is the distributor vacuum piston bolt which I dont like doing. Any suggestions? Dave

03-16-2021, 10:23 PM	#44
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,063	Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... We are still talking about adjusting a belt right??? I believe the stock tension is 3/4" tension play in the belt no matter how you get there. Meaning after its tight you can push the belt in 1/2 to 3/4'. Last edited by Tinker; 03-17-2021 at 12:05 AM.