Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:58:17 -0700
Reply-To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: V-Belt tightness -- how to determine?
In-Reply-To: <098101cc628f$7d4ebfa0$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
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Channel locks and twanging. Sounds like the title of a country album.
As always, thanks for the tips.
(Prying may be hokey, but by gum my 2' wrecking bar did the job! I'll
try the channel locks trick next time. Heck, I was just out at Harbor
Freight, I could-a picked up a cheap pair to keep in the van for just
this purpose.)
--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
Bend, Ore.
1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.
On 08/24/2011 11:51 AM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> first ..here is how to adjust the tension with perfect control.
> Don't use a lever or bar to pry against the alternator ....that's hokey.
> instead..
> with some drag on the tension bolt..
> use a channel lock pliers to draw the tension bolt toward the end of the
> tension bracket.
> it should be about an inch or a bit more of distance.
> gives very nice control of setting belt tension,
> your not prying on anything etc.
>
> I twang 'em like a guitar string.
> 'some tension' ...not bow string tight ..
> just some twangey tension.
> if it slips and squeals cold. ...all else being normal, it's not tight
> enough.
>
> if it's really major tight ..yes ....you don't want that.
> Always check it again a day or two later ..
> there is some 'settling factor'...particularily with a new belt.
>
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rocket J Squirrel"
> <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 7:13 AM
> Subject: V-Belt tightness -- how to determine?
>
>
>> Something I've never understood about tightening the belt. Instructions
>> usually say something like:
>>
>> "Be careful not to get the belts too tight. You should have
>> slight (1/8" - 1/4") deflection in the belts after they are adjusted.
>> This of course depends on the length of the belt."
>>
>> <http://www.vanagonauts.com/printable.phtml?&catid=215>
>>
>> How much pressure do you put behind your thumb when testing? I can
>> deflect the belt anywhere from not much to a lot more by pressing harder!
>>
>> --
>> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
>> Bend, Ore.
>> 1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
>> 1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
>> San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.
>>
>> Sent from my kitchen.
>
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