tensioning alternator gte 16v mt196 kit

[gazig]

Having just joined the elite group of tb owners(thanks to Dwarf ) i need some gen on tensioning up the belt. All that jaw dropping noise followed by a squeal when you dip the clutch for the lights is just wrong

Getting the belt back on involved taking out the bottom pivot bolt. Then to tension, you get about 1 inch of play before the throttle body is banging on the alternator. The belt is at best slack when fully tightened.

What have the fellow mk2 tb owners done? Is this a job for mr dremmel? or custom brackets?

cheers
Gaz

[Gary]

don't drive it with the belt slack/throwing itself off - often it'll find it's way into the cambelt, with dire (for the engine) results.

I had the 196 and 208 kit (later on) in a GTE 16v - I can't remember having trouble with tensioning the belt - spanners on the nut/bolt, loosen, lean (push) on it, tighten whilst keeping your weight behind it, job done.

I assume you have the SBD manifold, and regular Jenvey parallels - it is a non-standard alternator you have ?

[Jamie_F]

get a shorter belt, usally they go in 25mm stages, so get the part number of the one you need then just get the shorter one under that.

but i never had any probs with the std belt.

[gazig]

just got the kit. im assuming its a standard manifold (says sb dev on top) and throttles are standard 48mm jenveys (older ones not red)

I get how to tension. lean it then tighten but you cannot lean it enough - just wack into bottom of throttle no1.

alternator is the bosch one that came with my gte.

Cheers for the warning though. Dont think its quite as slack as falling off - it just squeals every now and again when revs are at idle. Its about 1-2 cm to slack on the tension slot if you get me - belts moves in a bit when you press it.

[gazig]

i must just have it stuck in a little gap then. ill try and take off the bottom bolt again and retighten behind this obstruction. defo all very close to throttle housing though. at least i know it should fit now

[dwarf]

Like Jamie says i got around it with a shorter belt. You may be able to position the alternator past the obstruction but i doubt it.

[gazig]

off to find those 13mm spanners and sockets......

[Gary]

just a clarification - it's the slack that piles up when the engine changes speed rapidly that throws it off, often exacerbated by worn out alternator mount bushings which allow it to twist out of line.

so, gently does it, if you must drive it - glass slippers 'n all that.

[dwarf]

Gary can I see a pic of your glass slippers?

[Gary]

but I hardly know you!

[gazig]

managed to get it a lot better now. slackened off the bottom bolt, the tension bolt and the bolt that goes into the inlet manifold and persuaded the alternator to the left a little and around the obstrucion. all tightened up now and the tension is there. just hope its not off centre as that is belt removing stuff!

crunt of a job tightening that bottom bolt without enough extension bars.

just out know for a blatt now to see its transient response.