Belt tension
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 445
Likes: 2
From: Thomastown Mississippi
Belt tension
I completely replaced the A/C unit in my '77 last week and the new system works great. It's still the same setup as the original, just with a new compressor, dryer, etc. The only thing of concern I have noticed is that when I have the A/C turned on, the belt has a good bit of slop in it on the lower side between the A/C compressor and the crankshaft pulley. I loosened the compressor bolts and tightened the belt some using a short crow bar for leverage. There's not nearly as much slop as before and the belt has roughly 1/2 inch of play in it now. Does this sound about right? I just don't want to overtighten it and start causing problems elsewhere, such as water pump bearings. Is some slop in the belt normal at idle with the A/C on??? What do the experts say??
Kenny
Kenny
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1/2" of flex is about what I have always used for belt tension. As long as you don't have so much slop that it's going to jump the pulley. You always walk a fine line between too loose and too tight and stressing bearings and water pumps. About 1/2" or slightly less has always worked for me.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
1/2" of flex is about what I have always used for belt tension. As long as you don't have so much slop that it's going to jump the pulley. You always walk a fine line between too loose and too tight and stressing bearings and water pumps. About 1/2" or slightly less has always worked for me.
