Lumpy Belts; Internal Cord Failure; Improper Length; Belt Replacement - Fleetwood Bounder 1986 Owner's Manual

Lumpy Belts
Lumpy belts usually occur and are more noticeable
on variable speed drives and other high-speed belt in-
stallations. The result is excessive vibration. If belts
are not relieved of tension while the engine or vehicle
is stored, they will often cause temporary vibration
upon start up. Give them time to straighten out.
Internal Cord Failure
Failure of one or more of the internal tension cords
will result in the belt rolling out of the pulley groove.
Cords can be broken by prying the belt over the pulley.
Improper Length
It is possible that an improper length belt could acci-
dently be installed on an engine. Always check to be
certain that the belt length is correct before the belt
is installed.
BEL T REPLACEMENT
Here are a few service tips for replacing belts.
Replace Belts in Matched Sets
Never replace just one belt on a 2-groove, single
pulley setup.
Never install one belt from a different set of matched
belts. Install a complete, matched belt set.
Check Condition of Pulleys
Always check the condition of pulleys before replac-
ing belts. Inspect the pulleys for chips, cracks, bent
sidewalls, rust, corrosion, etc. Replace any pulleys
found to be defective.
Check Pulley Alignment
Misaligned pulleys result in shortened belt life.
Check the alignme1t between pulleys as follows:
1.
Position a straightedge or cord line to touch both
pulleys at all points.
2. Rotate each pulley a half revolution and note
whether the contact of either pulley with the
straightedge or cord line is disturbed. If so, this
indicates a bent shaft or warped pulley.
Belt Installation
Use the following procedure when installing new
belts:
1. Move the belt tension adjustment to the posi-
tion where it provides the most slack. In some
cases it may be necessary to remove the ac-
cessory to install the belt.
2. Examine pulleys for chips, cracks, bent
sidewalls, rust, corrosion or other damage.
65
3. Check pulley alignment.
4. Place belts in the pulley grooves by hand.
NOTE: Never pryor force a belt onto the pulley
with a screwdriver, crowbar, wedge, etc., since
both belt and drive can be damaged.
Belt Tension Adjustment
To carry their full load, belts must grip the entire
area of contact with the pulley. When operated too
loose, belts can slip, heat, burn, or grab and snap.
More belts fail from under-tightening than from
over-tightening.
When operated too tight, belts can damage the
engine by causing side loading on the crankshaft,
crankshaft bearings, and accessory bearings. Excess
tension also stretches and weakens belts.
Proper Belt Tension (V-Belts):
When installing V-belts, keep the following in mind:
New drive belts will stretch after the first few hours
of operation. Run the engine for 15 seconds to seat
the belts, then re-tension them. Retighten fan drive,
pump drive and battery-charging generator drive belts
after
%
hour or
15 miles and again after 8 hours or
240 miles of operation. Thereafter, check the tension·
of the drive belts every 200 hours or 6,000 miles arid.
adjust them if necessary. .
GAUGE
(BURROUGHS
_ r - - - - - ! l _
NO. BT-7825)
GAUGE
(KENT MOORE
NO. J-23600)
NOTE: J23600B -
Similar to
Borroughs Gauge.
Adjust the belt tension so that a firm push with the
thumb at a point midway between two pulleys will
depress the belt
'I. -
%
inch. If a V-belt tension gage
is available, adjust the belt tension as outlined in the
belt tension chart.