<VV> threw a belt- what now?

[Mitch Reed]

I had just gotten it out of the shop the day before- replaced an exhaust
valve, rebuilt carbs. It was running great to that point! I would imagine my
mechanic just didn't tighten the belt properly? It was a little less than a
5 mile trip, going about 45-50, a straight shot. You're right, it probably
came off slightly before the stoplight.

I could almost put the belt back on by hand, which is an idea about how
loose it was. But I had my tools, so I tightened it as best I could.

Ran by the high school this morning, it started right up, oil level was ok,
so I drove it back home. And now it seems fine, I hope. . .

To make sure it doesn't happen again, what is the best way to know that the
belt is tightened properly (I know, I know- if it doesn't fall off <g>).
What about those spring loaded pulleys, do they really help with the
tension?

Thanks,
Mitch


----- Original Message -----
From: "J R Read_HML" <hmlinc at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Mitch Reed" <mitchreed at neo.rr.com>; <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 9:37 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> threw a belt- what now?


> It is VERY ABNORMAL for a belt to come off at idle.  Something else is
going
> on.
>
> What does it look like?  How old?  Cracked?  Worn?  Do I understand that
you
> were able to put it back on without tools?  If so, it is way too loose.
> That might explain why the engine was so hot.  Fan not turning - at least
> not fast enough.  OR, had you just come off a long or fast run with the
car?
>
> Is the harmonic balancer falling apart?  Bearing frozen up in idler pulley
> or generator?  Fan growling on cold starts?
>
> Hard to say from here if there is permanent damage to the engine.  If a
> valve seat falls out later, you might trace that back to this incident,
but
> that remains to be seen.
>
> What more can you tell us?  It will probably start fine once it is cooled
> down.
>
> Attachments (if any) are scanned with anti-virus software.
>
> Later, JR
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mitch Reed" <mitchreed at neo.rr.com>
> To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:17 PM
> Subject: <VV> threw a belt- what now?
>
>