The Ford Barn

1948F-1Pickup · 03-12-2021, 12:16 PM

I have one of those "fan belt fulcrums' on my truck..... takes about 50% of
the fool-around out of setting the belt tension.

51 MERC-CT · 03-12-2021, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

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

Maybe a little enlightenment.

19Fordy · 03-12-2021, 03:37 PM

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?

Russ/40 · 03-12-2021, 03:41 PM

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.

19Fordy · 03-12-2021, 03:48 PM

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?

51 MERC-CT · 03-12-2021, 04:56 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

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?

It's a French flathead either military or commercial with water pumps that are unusual with something mounted to the pump on the drivers side (maybe gen/alternator?)
Also the timing cover has a built in distributor lock down screw and cam end play adjusting screw.

Russ/40 · 03-12-2021, 05:17 PM

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.

19Fordy · 03-12-2021, 06:11 PM

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.

Jeff/Illinois · 03-12-2021, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

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.

I was going to suggest that Russ make some up and sell them thru the parts vendors like Joe's in Massachusetts! This is slick, well done man!

tubman · 03-12-2021, 10:42 PM

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.

Tinker · 03-12-2021, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ/40

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

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

.

petehoovie · 03-12-2021, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinker

Old thread for stuff like this. Lot of great ideas from inventive people. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56112.

19Fordy · 03-13-2021, 09:45 AM

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.

Russ/40 · 03-13-2021, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinker

still pretty cool and probably the most precise method/tool I've seen for belt adjustment.

.

True! You never need to hold any tension anywhere while you check the belt tension. Probably the best feature for us "older gents".

Jeff/Illinois · 03-13-2021, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ/40

True! You never need to hold any tension anywhere while you check the belt tension. Probably the best feature for us "older gents".

Well said and our backs will thank us for it!!

Terry,OH · 03-14-2021, 10:32 AM

Russ: Great idea for a tool!

JSeery · 03-14-2021, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ/40

19Fordy, the tool to which you refer in post 41, the link to older tool posts is actually my tool.

I like it.

oldford2 · 03-14-2021, 01:22 PM

Any pics of tensioners/fulcrums for the 59 block where the wire looms are in the way? Thanks
John

3twinridges · 03-14-2021, 07:32 PM

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

VeryTangled · 03-14-2021, 08:09 PM

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

This brought a smile to my face, okay I chuckled!

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.

03-12-2021, 03:37 PM	#23
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	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?

03-12-2021, 03:48 PM	#25
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	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?

03-12-2021, 05:17 PM	#27
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	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.

03-12-2021, 06:11 PM	#28
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	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.

03-12-2021, 10:42 PM	#30
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,304	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.

03-14-2021, 10:32 AM	#36
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,743	Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Russ: Great idea for a tool!

03-14-2021, 01:22 PM	#38
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,086	Re: Fan Belt Tension Adjuster.... Any pics of tensioners/fulcrums for the 59 block where the wire looms are in the way? Thanks John

03-14-2021, 07:32 PM	#39
3twinridges Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 547	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