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[GMCnet] Belt Tensioner [message #198147] Mon, 11 February 2013 17:43 Go to next message
Tom Whitton   United States
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Ken,

Does your flat belt system include an automatic tensioner?

Tom Whitton
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Re: [GMCnet] Belt Tensioner [message #198151 is a reply to message #198147] Mon, 11 February 2013 18:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GeorgeRud is currently offline  GeorgeRud   United States
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Tom,

After reading Ken's post, I did check Leigh Harrison's website, and it looks like it's a complete kit with everything you need to do the conversion, including a new reversed water pump, heavy duty fan, belt, and a spring loaded GM tensioner. Current price seems to be $1095 for the complete kit.


George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Belt Tensioner [message #198177 is a reply to message #198147] Mon, 11 February 2013 22:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Tom,

On the 455, with only 1 belt, yes. On the Cad500 with 2 belts, no.

I don't remember ever seeing an automatic tensioner for a V-belt but don't
see why it wouldn't work. Just remember, if you try to devise one, that
the tensioner must be on a slack side, not one under tension. Preferably
right "after" the driving pulley.

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com


On Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 6:43 PM, Tom Whitton wrote:

> Ken,
>
> Does your flat belt system include an automatic tensioner?
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Belt Tensioner [message #198179 is a reply to message #198177] Mon, 11 February 2013 23:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GMC_LES is currently offline  GMC_LES   United States
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Most garden tractors use a spring loaded tensioner pulley on their v-belt drive system so I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work in an automotive application.

If the tensioner and belt length are carefully chosen, you can increase the pulley wrap, improving contact area and thus reducing slippage.

Les Burt
Montreal



On 2013-02-11, at 11:57 PM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Tom,
>
> On the 455, with only 1 belt, yes. On the Cad500 with 2 belts, no.
>
> I don't remember ever seeing an automatic tensioner for a V-belt but don't
> see why it wouldn't work. Just remember, if you try to devise one, that
> the tensioner must be on a slack side, not one under tension. Preferably
> right "after" the driving pulley.
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 6:43 PM, Tom Whitton wrote:
>
>> Ken,
>>
>> Does your flat belt system include an automatic tensioner?
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
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Les Burt Montreal 1975 Eleganza 26ft A work in Progress
Re: [GMCnet] Belt Tensioner [message #198180 is a reply to message #198179] Mon, 11 February 2013 23:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
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Registered: August 2005
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Senior Member
think about it long

Manny took his back off
JimB will not put them on
no gain in performance
turns wp back wards
tends to take out ac pumps
one device problem, and you cannot get home
engine not built for it

just saying, think about why to do it

jwid
gene


On Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 9:33 PM, Les Burt <gmc.les@gmail.com> wrote:

> Most garden tractors use a spring loaded tensioner pulley on their v-belt
> drive system so I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work in an
> automotive application.
>
> If the tensioner and belt length are carefully chosen, you can increase
> the pulley wrap, improving contact area and thus reducing slippage.
>
> Les Burt
> Montreal
>
>
>
> On 2013-02-11, at 11:57 PM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
> > Tom,
> >
> > On the 455, with only 1 belt, yes. On the Cad500 with 2 belts, no.
> >
> > I don't remember ever seeing an automatic tensioner for a V-belt but
> don't
> > see why it wouldn't work. Just remember, if you try to devise one, that
> > the tensioner must be on a slack side, not one under tension. Preferably
> > right "after" the driving pulley.
> >
> > Ken H.
> > Americus, GA
> > '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> > www.gmcwipersetc.com
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 6:43 PM, Tom Whitton wrote:
> >
> >> Ken,
> >>
> >> Does your flat belt system include an automatic tensioner?
> >>
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>



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-------
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Re: [GMCnet] Belt Tensioner [message #198198 is a reply to message #198177] Tue, 12 February 2013 08:08 Go to previous message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Ken Henderson wrote on Mon, 11 February 2013 23:57

Tom,
I don't remember ever seeing an automatic tensioner for a V-belt but don't see why it wouldn't work. Just remember, if you try to devise one, that the tensioner must be on a slack side, not one under tension. Preferably right "after" the driving pulley.

Ken H.

They do exist, but not in automotive.
They exist where belt lengths are long and replacement is not a serious issue. (Like lawn mower decks.) They have to be placed in the system immediately "up-tension" of the driver so that they are in the lowest tension region of the belt. Many are designed to roll on the back side of the belt which qualifies as "Big Bozo No-No" on the V-belt world as reversing the bend of a belt can severely shorten the life.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
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