Alternator Pulley

[Steves46]

Forgive me if this is a dumb question but I am new to Model As and alternators on classic cars. My fan belt has 1 inch play and I can turn the alternator pulley by hand...is this too loose? My Les Andrews book Vol II does address ensuring the belt is tight when installing an Alternator but does not indicate amount of play. Greatly apprecaite any guidance.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Steves46

Forgive me if this is a dumb question but I am new to Model As and alternators on classic cars. My fan belt has 1 inch play and I can turn the alternator pulley by hand...is this too loose? My Les Andrews book Vol II does address ensuring the belt is tight when installing an Alternator but does not indicate amount of play. Greatly apprecaite any guidance.

Steve consider it this way. The alternator will generally be more difficult to rotate as the load requirement increases. Exactly how much of an electrical load does your system require? If your system is drawing a max of 15 amps for a unit that is rated at 60 amps, the pulley resistance is so minor that a loose belt is never noticed. On the flip side, run a fan belt too tight and you will find the water pump will fail as it was never designed to have a tight-tensioned belt.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Common sense will tell you how TIGHT/LOOSE your belt should be!!!!
Are we going to do PAGES/PAGES, about the belt tension???? Do you check your Shoe-Laces that often??
Bill Laughing

[Badpuppy]

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Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Common sense will tell you how TIGHT/LOOSE your belt should be!!!!
Are we going to do PAGES/PAGES, about the belt tension???? Do you check your Shoe-Laces that often??
Bill Laughing

Been missing you, Bill. Good to see you're still checking your belt and keeping your pants up.