securing generator

O

old Tom

Senior Member
I have tightened the bolt at the bottom of the generator as tight as I can but the generator will loosen on the belt after a few minutes of running. Am I missing something? there is no bracket that goes between the gen and the motor as this is on other engines.
Thank you
 
There is no other bracket. I wonder if you're bottoming out and if an extra washer would help.

There is an after market bracket that may help, but, I've not used one.
 
old tom said:
i have tightened the bolt at the bottom of the generator as tight as i can but the generator will loosen on the belt after a few minutes of running. Am i missing something? There is no bracket that goes between the gen and the motor as this is on other engines.
Thank you
Click to expand...

the bracket is easily fabricated and i cemented a thick piece of rubber to it where it contacts the generator to preserve the paint,works great.
 
As I recall it is fine thread. RE the post above about not getting the belt too tight. Correct. Too tight will cause water pump bushing/bearing to wear/fail faster and maybe, like the radiator, is finding its own level of tightness. If it don't squeal or slip maybe ok were it's at, so maybe a little loose is better then too tight. :)
 
I used to have that problem, took off all the paint on that area of the front cover and generator
It is one of the few items on the owner instruction book in bold, do not tighten belt unless it slips, translation-- it will look too loose , but it's ok unless it's slipping
 
I've seen even water pumps modified to have ball bearings in the front destroyed by the belt being too tight. The vee shape of the belt means it doesn't have to be tight to drive. The greater the load, the more tension on it and the more it grips.
I have at least 2 inches of free in and out movement of the belt at the RHS of the engine before I feel any tension at all.
Over tightening the belt is probably one of the most common errors made by Model A owners.
There's an idea for a new thread!
Back to the OP's generator not holding adjustment. I have made an arm that goes from the top of the gen to one of the timing cover bolts to secure it.
 
I have a bit of slack in my belt. When I had a powerhouse gen I went to the hardware store and bought an internally toothed washer to ho under the head of the bolt, and one under the nut. Then I used a breaker bar. I suppose you could break the bolt if you got carried away. Now I have the Ford gen, and I use the little tension bracket that Snyders sells.

I have tried the rubber chunk between the generator housing and the engine block, with some success.
 
By the way, always put the bolt in from the back, and the nut near the radiator. If you do it the other way, after your car is together you get to take the radiator out every time you want to move, or remove the generator. Just one of those handy little things to think about...
 
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