Automatic belt tensioner

gmunro · Post by **gmunro** » Mon Dec 14, 2015 10:44 pm

Hi forum.. I have a 1967 4.2 Series 1 OTS - engine number no. 7E-13196-8. I am currently rebuilding the engine after a major overhaul and have noticed that in parts catalogues, an automatic belt tensioner should be fitted. I spoke to SNG B and they advise that this should be fitted to all 4.2 E-Types. Needless to say, when I stripped the engine, there was no such tensioner but this could have been removed and never refitted in years past.

Can anybody please advise me categorically if this tensioner should be fitted to my car as I can find no specific reference to it in other books on rebuilding/refurbishing/originality of the 1967 4.2 Series 1 E-Type.

Many thanks all. George

Alty Ian · Post by **Alty Ian** » Mon Dec 14, 2015 11:46 pm

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Tue Dec 15, 2015 5:59 am

Alty Ian wrote:Yes.

Yes it should be there but you don't really need it.

Use the slightly shorter belt for a Mk2. It should fit fine assuming all it needs to do is go around the harmonic balancer, the water pump and the alternator.

gmunro · Post by **gmunro** » Tue Dec 15, 2015 9:31 am

Hi Andrew,

Many thanks for your speedy reply and for answering my query. I can now research my options. Once again, many thanks. George

Post by **Heuer** » Tue Dec 15, 2015 11:11 am

I removed mine as it is unnecessary and just makes a noise. It was there so owners in period would not have to re-tension their fan belt as they stretched with age. Modern belts do not suffer as much, if at all, from this and current E-Type owners tend to regard maintenance as part of the joy of ownership and keep an eye out for such problems.

gmunro · Post by **gmunro** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 1:40 pm

Many thanks for your advice David - will not worry about fitting one then!

Robert Hiland · Post by **Robert Hiland** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 7:46 pm

I can only suggest that you replace the idler pulley.

If you adjust the belt tension only by the alternator bracket without the idler pulley it you could put too much strain on the water pump bearing thus shortening its life.

It also makes belt replacement easier with the idler in place.

Bob

wol916 · Post by **wol916** » Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:38 am

Took mine off, it?s in the box of ?bits that are not going back on?, I converted to alloy pulleys and a multi groove modern belt which made fitting the megajolt sensor a whole lot easier.

Wicker Francis · Post by **Wicker Francis** » Thu Dec 17, 2015 1:13 pm

I'll chime in on this one. I like the tensioner pulley as it takes the guess work out of adjusting the alternator bracket and achieving the right tension on the belt. Too much tension will prematurely wear the bearing in the water pump. As you probably know modern cars with the serpentine belts have a spring loaded idler pulley and for good reason. I adjust the alternator bracket so that the spring loaded idler pulley is about 1/3 to 1/2 into the range.

Wicker Francis
65 FHC

wol916 · Post by **wol916** » Fri Dec 18, 2015 1:38 am

"about 1/3 to 1/2 into the range"

No guess work there then

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Automatic belt tensioner

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