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Old 07-14-2018, 02:58 PM   #1
CB919ER
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Default Fan Belt Tension

I've just put a new belt on my Car, and when I start the car I get a bad squealing noise. I can tighten the belt, go for a drive and all is well, but when I park the car for a couple hours and restart it the noise comes back. I'm open to suggestion on correcting this problem.

Thanks in advance
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Old 07-14-2018, 04:01 PM   #2
Bob C
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

Are you running an alternator or generator?
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Old 07-14-2018, 04:24 PM   #3
denniskliesen
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

Straight wrapped belt or cogged on the inside radius?
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Old 07-14-2018, 04:28 PM   #4
CB919ER
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

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Are you running an alternator or generator?

I am running a generator

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Originally Posted by denniskliesen View Post
Straight wrapped belt or cogged on the inside radius?
I'm not sure what that mean, I just got a standard replacement from Mike's A-Fordable to replace the 30+year old belt that was about to break.
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Old 07-14-2018, 04:56 PM   #5
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

Quote:
Originally Posted by CB919ER View Post
I've just put a new belt on my Car, and when I start the car I get a bad squealing noise. I can tighten the belt, go for a drive and all is well, but when I park the car for a couple hours and restart it the noise comes back. I'm open to suggestion on correcting this problem.

Thanks in advance
tighten the belt
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Old 07-14-2018, 05:34 PM   #6
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Not real tight! 1" slack!
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Old 07-14-2018, 05:45 PM   #7
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

I have had the same problem on and off for many years.

I spray a little WD40 on generator pully in front of belt. That solves the problem.

You don’t want the belt to tight. Enjoy.
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Old 07-14-2018, 06:37 PM   #8
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

Not a tight belt. Puts too much bending load on the fan to pump shaft joint.
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Old 07-14-2018, 07:05 PM   #9
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

IMO, over tightening the belt is about the most common mistake owners make. By its very design, a vee belt doesn't heed to be tightened much at all. It wedges itself into the pulley and drives just fine. The more drive needed, the tighter it wedges. I run an alternator and with either a notched or plain belt, I leave about 2" slack when tested between the water pump and the crankshaft pulley. By "slack", I mean no tension AT ALL on my fingers for 2" of movement in the belt.
More tension only cuts out the water pump bearing, which is under engineered anyway, especially with the soft shafts supplied these days.
If it squeals, use some belt dressing or even a little soap.
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Old 07-15-2018, 01:42 AM   #10
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

If all else fails try a cogged V belt. They seem to grip old worn pulleys better.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/11...37289571966664

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypCcKJS0fx0
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Old 07-15-2018, 07:31 AM   #11
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

I have taken an old bar of soap and rubbed it on the belt/pulley contact area and eliminated the squeak. You can do it with the engine idling or shut off, depending on your health care coverage...Chap
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Old 07-15-2018, 08:21 AM   #12
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

The long generator rear bushing can squeak if it crying for lubricant--- and the brushes can squeak
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Old 07-15-2018, 09:20 AM   #13
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

Quote:
Originally Posted by CB919ER View Post
I've just put a new belt on my Car, and when I start the car I get a bad squealing noise. I can tighten the belt, go for a drive and all is well, but when I park the car for a couple hours and restart it the noise comes back. I'm open to suggestion on correcting this problem.

Thanks in advance
i have taken a file and with the engine running,carefully touch the edge on both sides, and i mean (carefully!)
had a guy that worked at a Buick dealership years ago show me this trick on a brand new car that was brought back in because of the belt squeaking, he told me it works every time and so far yes it does work
good luck and God Bless
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Old 07-18-2018, 10:40 AM   #14
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

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Originally Posted by CB919ER View Post
I've just put a new belt on my Car, and when I start the car I get a bad squealing noise. I can tighten the belt, go for a drive and all is well, but when I park the car for a couple hours and restart it the noise comes back. I'm open to suggestion on correcting this problem.

Thanks in advance
I have in my Stuff box a vintage Belt stick that was used on flat belts.

I apply it with engine running carefully. It stops all noise. There is some modern stuff available at car parts stores that does pretty much the same thing.
Model A Ford belts normally are not run real tight (like a banjo string) as the water pump and gen bearing just are not set up for that. Not sure of the right spec but on mine I can move the belt back and forth about an inch or little more, and no squeeks.
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Old 07-19-2018, 07:16 AM   #15
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

I think the generator pulley and or the fan pulley is worn and the belt is then riding low on the pulley or pulleys,old belt was quiet? compare belts for the angle.
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Old 07-19-2018, 12:17 PM   #16
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

Did you thoroughly clean all the pulleys? Did you see if there is excessive drag in the water pump or generator? My car charges and cools with over 2" slack in the belt without squealing.
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Old 07-19-2018, 01:15 PM   #17
Benson
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

Are you sure that you do not have a 4L belt installed on Model A's 5L pulleys?

A 4L will ride low in a 5L pulley groove!
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Old 07-19-2018, 04:45 PM   #18
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

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Originally Posted by J Franklin View Post
Did you thoroughly clean all the pulleys? Did you see if there is excessive drag in the water pump or generator? My car charges and cools with over 2" slack in the belt without squealing.
That’s about where I run mine. No problems and the water pump bearing lasts!
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Last edited by Synchro909; 07-19-2018 at 11:51 PM.
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Old 07-19-2018, 04:57 PM   #19
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Default Re: Fan Belt Tension

Put some clothes on the belt — I mean belt dressing.
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