NEWS PARTS JEEP & 4x4 ATV & UTV

Tightening alt & p/s belts-turnbuckle?

1182 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by CJ7Taz, Jan 23, 2000

Discussion Starter · Jan 23, 2000

I am frustrated with the belt system on my 77 304... Tightening the p/s belt isn't that bad, but the alternator belt is a pain in the you-know-what. I've been looking at it and trying to figure out a way to put in some kind of turnbuckle to adjust the position (clocking) of the alternator and thereby adjust the belt tension...but such a turnbuckle would have to attach to the engine block, and not the frame/body. Has anyone done anything similiar to this? How? Perhaps I just don't know the proper way to tighten the belt. I made a wooden block that fits around the side of the water pump that I put there, and then I put a pinch bar down against the alternator case (in the thick spot where the bolt holds the front to the back). Then I push on the bar while trying to reach down in front of the engine and tighten the alternator back up. Suggestions? Ideas? I'd really like to come up with some way to use a threaded turnbuckle--oh, and if anyone's got some great ideas on the p/s belt, I'd love to hear them.

Measure once, cut twice...or is that the other way around?

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Dirt Dog

· #2 · Jan 23, 2000

Harbor Freight used to sell them (I guess they still would).
It goes between pulleys and the turnbuckle pushes them away from each other thus tightning the belt.
Never used one but can't see why they would'nt work. I've just never had the need for one with the 5 million different prybars I have.
/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gifI would guess that I've probally paid for my snap on mans beach condo somewhere/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

Wider is better but taller is cooler!

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CJ7Taz

· #3 · Jan 23, 2000

I think what Dirt Dog is talking about only holds the tension while you tighten the adjustment belts. Then
it has to come back out.

First, did you loosen both the adjustment bolt and the pivot bolt before you pried on the alternator?

Second, how tight are you trying to get it? You should be able to flex the belt about 1/2" in the middle
at the longest span. If you get the belt too tight, you will be replacing bearings.

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CJDave

· #4 · Jan 23, 2000

/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif Our 304 has a GM alternator bootlegged into it, and the alternator is mounted with the adjustment on top just like the GM's. Of course we will be ripping it all out and doing something different when it's time to put in A/C because the alternator must be wayyyy down to allow compressor room, and right now it is wayyyy up./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif It IS easy to adjust however, heh heh./wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif

CJDave
I never believe any statistics unless my moonguys /wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif made 'em up themselves.

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CJ7Taz

· #5 · Jan 23, 2000

Love those serpentine belts. Stays tight, use a 1/2 drive ratchet in the hole to change the belt.

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Tightening alt & p/s belts-turnbuckle?

Dirt Dog

CJ7Taz

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CJDave

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