Adjusting alternator tension

[Kenny_Z]

I've heard several times on the forum that people want a way to fine tune their alternator's belt tension. Has anyone tried one of these?

http://www.superchevy.com/tech/sucp_.../photo_12.html

I was thinking about it last night as I was removing my alternator. It looks like a straight shot where one of these would work perfectly.

[Farrar]

You can make your own one of these from off-the-shelf parts. Matt Spittle has done so and the parts for mine will arrive tomorrow.

Edit: Got a pic --

403303_10102335245007174_9318120_89970331_474016154_n.jpg

[Ron]

Ah, I thought you had a Delco (10Si) style for some reason, Farrar. That's why I mentioned the fan hitting (the ears are straight across) in your thread...

[Kenny_Z]

I found one on ebay for 8 bucks. I couldn't build it for that cheap. I am planning to put a caddy alternator in though. The tab placement is a little different but I should be able to make it work.

[Farrar]

I found one on ebay for 8 bucks.

Is it stainless? Just curious.

[Kenny_Z]

Nope, plated steel. It is a part from a Buell motorcycle. I'm not sure it's going to work out with my new alternator, if it does I may make a stainless one.

[deloreanz]

I found one on ebay for 8 bucks. I couldn't build it for that cheap. I am planning to put a caddy alternator in though. The tab placement is a little different but I should be able to make it work.

What was it called? I searched around a bit but couldn't find any premade kit. I don't have an interest in spending $50+ dollars on a tensioner although I like this idea.

[Kenny_Z]

The Buell part I bought won't work on the stock Delorean alternator. The turnbuckle end is too large and gets right into the fan blades. You'd have to grind it down and I think it would take too much out of the structure to be safe. It'd be possible to build an extension bracket but by the time you did that it'd be worth getting what Farrar posted.

It works fine for my Nova so it wasn't a total bust.

[Spittybug]

You can make your own one of these from off-the-shelf parts. Matt Spittle has done so and the parts for mine will arrive tomorrow.

Edit: Got a pic --

403303_10102335245007174_9318120_89970331_474016154_n.jpg

That's an elegant solution. I did the same for my clutch pedal adjustment, but too much force on it (and its size) caused failure. I think I will be adding this to my list of enhancements however. For the time being I just lever a long handled yard tool between the alternator and the block and tighten the bolt....

[Bitsyncmaster]

That's an elegant solution. I did the same for my clutch pedal adjustment, but too much force on it (and its size) caused failure. I think I will be adding this to my list of enhancements however. For the time being I just lever a long handled yard tool between the alternator and the block and tighten the bolt....

I agree that this looks like a great idea. It's also on my list of things to do on my car.