Automotive American – Classic Vintage & Modern
Category: Charging System
My new fan belt arrived on Saturday morning but the weather was bit a rubbish, so I began work on the Alternator today. After finding more bad workmanship around the pulley alignment I eventually got everything in place, but to my disappointment I found that the standard Model A fan belt is a few inches too long meaning that it will rub the radiator hose. So the search for a belt goes on….
As mentioned in my previous Alternator post I called Nu Rex in the States and they were very friendly and helpful.
They advised that I’d have to split the Alternator to be able to tighten the belt pulley which in turn locks the fan pulley in place. It’s apparently very rare for one of the pulleys to come loose. I’m wondering if the clearly incorrect fan belt was part of the issue?
Nu Rex advised that the centre of the belt pulley should not be shiny if the belt is the correct item or not worn out, as you can see we were wide of the mark on both counts!
I was also advised that the standard Model A Fan Belt is the correct item, and also to re black the pulley with a marker, which once it becomes shiny again will indicate belt change time.
Popped up to Simon’s and both he and his Dad gave me a hand to tighten the pulley and also lent me a piece of welding rod to lock the brushes in place to allow reassembly of the unit.
Correct fan belt was ordered and has been delivered from the ever reliable O’Neill’s Vintage Ford
Weather permitting I can get the unit refitted tomorrow
I’d like to get back mobile as there is a car rally/breakfast event at the nearby Wellington Country Park Farm Shop on the 11th September.
Been hearing a bit of a metallic sound and whilst I was working on the carburetor and noticed that the fan pulley on the Nu Rex alternator was turning independently of the fan pulley, which I’m pretty sure that it shouldn’t!
Will give Nu Rex in the States a call to understand how it all hangs together!
