9 replies to this topic

[PaulColeman]

As part of the restoration of my daughter's 1976 Mini 1000 I replaced the alternator belt. When I fitted it I had the adjustment on maximum and now the belt has stretched a bit there is too much slack and it's slipping a low speeds bringing the red ignition light on. At higher speeds it's okay and goes out. So far she hasn't had any trouble starting the car but I'm guessing it won't be long.

 

Has anybody else bought a new belt and found that it was on the large side? I'm not sure what I can do with it as there's no more adjustment left in the thing. I did wonder whether the arced piece of metal which sets the tension was maybe the wrong one for the car but the alternator doesn't have a lot more room until it hits on the front panel.

 

Thanks, Paul.

[ToM 2012]

mine is slipping to ever since lots of water got on it from going down the motorway and it wont stop squeeling now. if it does snap you will still be able to start your engine but you wont have and cooling on the rad and water pump wont be spinning. if you can not get any more adjustment try a thinner bolt or file out abit more on the adjuster to give you that extra pull. just a fort it may work.. 

[cal844]

You need it to be tight, 1/2 inch of movement, on the longest run of belt, it will be a pain to adjust but bear with it!

[PaulColeman]

I've ordered another belt in the meantime just in case I originally bought (or was sent) the wrong one. For the sake of £4.25 it seemed worth doing. At least I can then compare the two and see how different they are... Mine has way too much slack and no adjustment left

 

Paul.

[GraemeC]

There are different belts to suit the different fan pulleys.

[CityEPete]

You might have a dynamo belt, the dynamo has a larger pulley than the alternator.

Edited by CityEPete, 26 August 2014 - 08:51 PM.

[dklawson]

As stated above, different belts for different applications.  Look carefully at the belt that has stretched.  There will be a number printed on it, perhaps 5 digits long.  Google it and one of the results is bound to fully identify the profile of the belt and its length.  Buy the next shorter length belt (probably 1/2" shorter) and you should be protected against belt stretch next time.

[PaulColeman]

Okay, thanks. Every day's a school day!!

 

It's always possible I bought the wrong belt initially so I'll compare it to the one I've just ordered and see.

 

Thanks, Paul.

[Dan]

For most belts the last 3 digits of the part number is the length in mm.

[firstforward]

Good site for belts:  http://www.bearingbo...ge_Belts-1025-c