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Old 10-19-2020, 11:36 AM   #1
1936 ford pickup
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Default Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

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.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 100_0585.jpg (76.4 KB, 336 views)
File Type: jpg 001.jpg (32.6 KB, 315 views)

Last edited by 1936 ford pickup; 10-19-2020 at 12:40 PM.
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Old 10-19-2020, 11:55 AM   #2
Jack E/NJ
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

Broom handle. 8^) Jack E/NJ
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Old 10-19-2020, 12:48 PM   #3
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

double post




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Old 10-19-2020, 12:50 PM   #4
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1936 ford pickup View Post
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.

Same thing over 50 years ago.( Necessity is the mother of invention )
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Old 10-19-2020, 09:59 PM   #5
GB SISSON
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Default 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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Old 10-20-2020, 11:36 AM   #6
Jeff/Illinois
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

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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
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Old 10-20-2020, 12:23 PM   #7
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

Just don't get them so tight that they screw up the generator.
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Old 03-11-2021, 08:58 PM   #8
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Default 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??
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Old 03-11-2021, 09:39 PM   #9
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

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.



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File Type: jpg 20210311_214109.jpg (35.7 KB, 407 views)
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Last edited by VeryTangled; 03-11-2021 at 10:01 PM.
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Old 03-11-2021, 09:51 PM   #10
Scotty's 52 F3
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

I use a big bar but, I like this better. Thanks for posting.
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Old 03-11-2021, 10:46 PM   #11
Ross F-1
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

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.
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File Type: jpg 1950FordF1 fan tool.jpg (19.3 KB, 132 views)
File Type: jpg Fulcrum-1.jpg (64.4 KB, 123 views)
File Type: jpg Fulcrum-2.jpg (71.4 KB, 150 views)
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Old 03-11-2021, 11:17 PM   #12
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

Here are a couple of pictures of "Vergil's Tool" :
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File Type: jpg Vergil'sTool-2.jpg (18.9 KB, 383 views)
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:04 AM   #13
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Default 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/

Last edited by 19Fordy; 03-12-2021 at 10:39 AM.
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:04 AM   #14
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

Mr. tubman, Any chance of reposting those photos to make them larger?
Thanks.


Sorry for the double post.

Last edited by 19Fordy; 03-12-2021 at 10:23 AM.
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:26 AM   #15
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
Mr. tubman, Any chance of reposting those photos to make them larger?
Thanks.
I did blow them up, but wasn't satisfied with the resolution. Here is what I have. I hope it's satisfactory. (Click the "thumbnails.)
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File Type: jpg Vergil'sTool-1B.jpg (101.7 KB, 117 views)
File Type: jpg Vergil'sTool-2B.jpg (109.1 KB, 129 views)

Last edited by tubman; 03-12-2021 at 10:39 AM.
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:31 AM   #16
19Fordy
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Default 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

Last edited by 19Fordy; 03-12-2021 at 10:36 AM.
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:41 AM   #17
19Fordy
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Default 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.
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:50 AM   #18
Jeff/Illinois
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

Now that fulcrum point looks like a good idea too.

Thanks.
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:52 AM   #19
Kube
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster....

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1936 ford pickup View Post
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.
I had made a scissors type tool where I am able to place the non-adjustable ends between the generator and valve chamber cover. The adjustable end of my tool is a simple thumb screw. Turning it lifts the generator. I pretty much copied the basic concept from an old brake caliper piston retracting tool.

It appears your fan belt is not correct - too long. Factory fitment had a much smaller "open space" between the generator and chamber cover.
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Old 03-12-2021, 11:04 AM   #20
Jeff/Illinois
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Default 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.
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