Fan Belt Tension

CB919ER

CB919ER

Senior Member
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
 
CB919ER said:
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
Click to expand...

tighten the belt
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
CB919ER said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
CB919ER said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
J Franklin said:
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.
Click to expand...

That’s about where I run mine. No problems and the water pump bearing lasts!
 
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