Thanks, Jerry.
The chassis shop manual specifies a belt tension of 75lbs +/- 5lbs for a new belt, 55lbs +/- 5lbs for reinstalling a used one. Sound about right? I've never used a tension gauge, so I'm not sure how this translates into typical back yard methods. The manual implies a fairly significant change in tension as the belt wears.
I shopped on Amazon for one of those tension tools last week, before I realized that it's likely one more gadget I might acquire, use once, file away.
Gil
Jerry Whitt wrote:
The real test is in the v groove of the alternator and crank pulley and the pulley on the fan. The width of the belt tends to wear over the miles and this in turn causes the belt
to become more narrow, and then fitting lower in the groove, and then loose friction. Ideally, the top of the belt should be near the top of the alternator groove, and top of the fan pulley groove and crank pulley groove. These 3 are usually about the same, but the adjuster pulley is quite often a little wider, and the belt will ride a bit lower.
I have had good luck with slotted and non slotted. Most of the brand name belts are better quality now, than in the 60s.
There is a tool, called a "fan belt tension tool" that can be used to check tension if you have doubts about your guesstimates. Some parts houses have the tool, as do some
of the traveling parts trucks.
Statistics: Posted by riversidevair — Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:58 am