Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Technical advice Q&A

Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#1 Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Sat May 06, 2023 7:05 pm

I'm in the process of fitting Emerald/Jenvey fuel injection to my '68 S1.5 2+2 and I'm having a small problem fitting the timing cog wheel and sensor due to the belt tensioning pulley being in the way.

I'm wondering if the tensioner on my car is fitted correctly.

Currently it pushes outward on the belt as it travels up from the crank pully to the water pump (LHS when looking from front of car). To me this is an unusual way to do it as normally they press inwards - thus wrapping the belt a little further around the Crank and water pump pulleys.

Is my setup correct?

Thanks

Ian
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

caveman
Posts: 711
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:55 am
Great Britain

#2 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by caveman » Sat May 06, 2023 7:47 pm

Hi Ian,
Here’s a picture of a 69 engine:
Image
And here’s the link to a discussion on similar topic:
https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/idler-p ... d/353557/5
Steve
1965 S1 4.2 FHC (early)
:wavegreatbritain:

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

abowie
Posts: 4114
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:15 pm
Location: Australia
Contact:
Australia

#3 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by abowie » Sat May 06, 2023 8:49 pm

ianc9 wrote:
Sat May 06, 2023 7:05 pm
due to the belt tensioning pulley being in the way.

You can remove the tensioner if necessary.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB. 1979 MGB.
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


tim wood
Posts: 1337
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:52 pm
Location: Leighton Buzzard UK
Great Britain

#4 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by tim wood » Sun May 07, 2023 10:57 am

I had a similar issue when fitting EDIS . The trigger wheel being too close to the idler. Like you I thought I had assembled incorrectly. Not so I believe !

I had to space our the trigger wheel by a few mm to gain sufficient clearance. Works fine.
Series 1 FHC purchased 50 years ago. Courted my wife in it.
Series 1 2+2 when the kids were small now sold.
Series 1.5 OTS in opalescent maroon, Californian car. My retirement present.

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#5 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Sun May 07, 2023 11:01 am

tim wood wrote:
Sun May 07, 2023 10:57 am
I had a similar issue when fitting EDIS . The trigger wheel being too close to the idler. Like you I thought I had assembled incorrectly. Not so I believe !

I had to space our the trigger wheel by a few mm to gain sufficient clearance. Works fine.
Good suggestion. Spacing would mean the trigger wheel would be clear but the sensor mount would still not fit as its currently set up.
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#6 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Sun May 07, 2023 11:02 am

You can remove the tensioner if necessary.

That would mean a shorter belt?
The 1010mm one from the 3.8?
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#7 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Sun May 07, 2023 11:04 am

caveman wrote:
Sat May 06, 2023 7:47 pm
Hi Ian,
Here’s a picture of a 69 engine:
Image
And here’s the link to a discussion on similar topic:
https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/idler-p ... d/353557/5
Ok - So mine is set up correctly.
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


tim wood
Posts: 1337
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:52 pm
Location: Leighton Buzzard UK
Great Britain

#8 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by tim wood » Sun May 07, 2023 11:29 am

ianc9 wrote:
Sun May 07, 2023 11:01 am
tim wood wrote:
Sun May 07, 2023 10:57 am
I had a similar issue when fitting EDIS . The trigger wheel being too close to the idler. Like you I thought I had assembled incorrectly. Not so I believe !

I had to space our the trigger wheel by a few mm to gain sufficient clearance. Works fine.
Good suggestion. Spacing would mean the trigger wheel would be clear but the sensor mount would still not fit as its currently set up.
Yes, I had to adjust the sensor mount as well.
Many speak of removing the idler, which I seriously considered but my thoughts were that it’s in place for a reason and who am I to judge on this.
Series 1 FHC purchased 50 years ago. Courted my wife in it.
Series 1 2+2 when the kids were small now sold.
Series 1.5 OTS in opalescent maroon, Californian car. My retirement present.

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#9 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Wed May 10, 2023 7:59 pm

Ok - So belt tensioner is gone and trigger wheel + sensor now fit.
However, the belt is not really tight enough at max adjustment. Is the only option to go with the shorter 3.8 belt (1010mm I think) or is there a size in between?
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

caveman
Posts: 711
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:55 am
Great Britain

#10 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by caveman » Wed May 10, 2023 8:29 pm

Steve
1965 S1 4.2 FHC (early)
:wavegreatbritain:

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#11 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Wed May 10, 2023 8:43 pm

caveman wrote:
Wed May 10, 2023 8:29 pm
Some mention of belt sizes here:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17983&p=146538&hili ... er#p146538
Thanks for that. I had a read.
I'm pretty certain I currently have a 1100mm (I measured the outer circumference as 1120mm) belt as fitted to 4.2 cars with tensioner.
With the tensioner now removed I have too much slack.

I know others on this forum have removed their tensioner and I'm wondering what belt they used.

I can see there's a 1010mm belt for the 3.8 cars - is it that one?
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

caveman
Posts: 711
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:55 am
Great Britain

#12 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by caveman » Wed May 10, 2023 8:51 pm

More info here and the link within it has specifics, hope this helps:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16091&p=132013&hili ... lt#p132013
Steve
1965 S1 4.2 FHC (early)
:wavegreatbritain:

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

caveman
Posts: 711
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:55 am
Great Britain

#13 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by caveman » Wed May 10, 2023 8:59 pm

There’s a possibility that a Mk 2 belt will fit without tensioner but some have suggested that removal could put stress on water pump bearings;
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8181&p=62081&hilit= ... ner#p62081
Steve
1965 S1 4.2 FHC (early)
:wavegreatbritain:

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#14 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Thu May 11, 2023 9:07 am

I did see both those threads.
One US company is advertising the belt with the different part code (C26376) but it not mentioned anywhere else.
I would not be worried about bearing wear - Most older cars did just fine without a tensioner - and anyway, I have no choice since it doesn't fit along side my injection pickup.

I'm just trying to determine which belt people are using when they remove the tensioner.
Is it the 1100mm double V one with code C26376 (and how do they tension it sufficiently?) or the 1010mm double V one from the 3.8 with code C19524. Or... Is there another double V belt? :)
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#15 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Thu May 11, 2023 2:10 pm

Can I ask a different Q.
Are the belt lengths (1100mm, 1010mm) the outer circumference or the inner or some other measure?

Maybe someone with a double V belt of known "Length" could measure the external circumference?

This will help me determine what belt I currently have (1050 internal, 1120 external), which is a little too long, and determine which shorter one I should try.

Thanks

Ian
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 8990
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#16 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by mgcjag » Thu May 11, 2023 3:53 pm

Belts should be measured on their outside.....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#17 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Thu May 11, 2023 4:07 pm

Thanks that help 😀
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


tim wood
Posts: 1337
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:52 pm
Location: Leighton Buzzard UK
Great Britain

#18 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by tim wood » Thu May 11, 2023 4:55 pm

How about this:

https://www.normanmotorsltd.com/c19525- ... 7513-p.asp

1050mm double v belt.
Series 1 FHC purchased 50 years ago. Courted my wife in it.
Series 1 2+2 when the kids were small now sold.
Series 1.5 OTS in opalescent maroon, Californian car. My retirement present.

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#19 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Thu May 11, 2023 9:31 pm

Measured again and outer circumference is 1100mm
Thanks Steve.
And so I've ordered the 1050mm belt. Thanks Tim
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
ianc9
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:55 am
Ireland

#20 Re: Water pump/alternator belt tensioner

Post by ianc9 » Sun May 21, 2023 5:12 pm

I ordered fan belt C19523 (Double V 1050mm long) but the one I received was 1100mm when measured on outside :(

I've asked them to send the correct one.
Ian.
1968 E Type S1.5 2+2
1953 MG TD
1974 Mercedes 450SEL
1983 BMW R70 Cafe racer
Tesla Model 3 LR - to make up for all the fuel used above!

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic