| [GMCnet] All quiet on the Belt front? [message #156298] |
Tue, 10 January 2012 19:25  |
Thomas Pryor
Messages: 143
Registered: January 2011
Karma:
|
Senior Member |
|
|
All quiet on the belt front…...... *the rest of the story.*
Thank you to Gene Fisher for filling in the knowledge gap on Belts, the
tools available and the yardstick methodology.
You discussed at length the "Bovee" $20.00 tool to adjust alternator and
A/C compressor belts. As you pointed out, “it is loosely” based on the
“Pick n Pull” discovery.
1. The “Pick n Pull” example used a specially designed fastener on the
short connector side. The head of the fastener was threaded to engage
the 1/2-13 (?)-Adjustment bolt. This design minimized the bending forces
and thread stripping. *It has not been utilized in the "Bovee" copy*.It
also appears that the components in the "Pick n Pull example were grade
above grade 2 or 3 for strength.
2. The “Boove" design connectors use rod-coupling nuts *not designed for
side loading.* Coupling nuts are typically used to attach two pieces of
threaded rod, bolts or studs that are of the same size. Using low grade
3/8" bolts in the base of the connectors allow them to become “leaning
towers” and the thread engagement in the short side connector binds the
adjustment screw. In this condition it is difficult to distinguish
the *torque
to stretch* the drive belts (desirable) - or - the torque to overcome
thread misalignment (undesirable).
3. The “Bovee” design uses a soft 1/4 –20 grade 2 tap bolt to apply the
forces needed to move the small and large connector apart. In this
application the 1/4” fastener selected has inadequate column strength and
is prone to distortion when torque forces are applied. (The install
instructions even points out this condition.)
The “Tom” design offered at Applied GMC for $69.95 (tp://
www.appliedgmc.com/level.itml/icOid/992) utilizes proven and tested
technology. The Components were designed for this type application, not
merely selected and modified from the local hardware. The 1/2-13 adjusting
threads cannot misalign with addition of the pivoting member of the
Gimballed Drive Block. All fasteners are grade 8. Connectors cannot lean
or distort. Once installed it is “Robust” enough to withstand repeated
adjustments, vibration or fatigue failure. It can be installed with
confidence that components won't damaged even if abused.
*The GM Tribe should understand that the sweet taste of low price quickly
subsides when a product fails to meet expectations for durability after
repeated use.*
--
Regards,
Tom Pryor
4188 Limerick Dr
Lake Wales, Fl 33859
Cell 248 470 9186
Living on a waterfront is not a matter of life or death. Its more
important than that.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
