Hobo Jungle

[healey36]

With regards to that VW, was never able to get that totally sorted out. As best I could tell, we had the belt tension to spec. However, the whole cooling system in that thing just had issues...replaced the thermostat a couple of times, a radiator once, and the pump three times. Other guys I knew running Jetta's and Golf's/Rabbit's were having similar experiences. At that time, maybe VW was still grappling with the whole air-cooled to water-cooled transition thing...just didn't have it down yet. I don't know, but it was a miserable experience.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I did. When I purchased my used 1970 Olds Cutlass Supreme ... After replacing the water pump I tensioned the belts to a very loose 1/2 inch deflection. Pump never failed again.

Belt tension might be the problem for some of the cars you mention.

Serpentine belts (first used on the1979 Ford Mustang) use ....

Jeeeze, you know lots of stuff, Wayne. No kiddin' .

[kerr]

I did. When I purchased my used 1970 Olds Cutlass Supreme with 455 cu-in engine the water pump bearing was already loose and leaking. Someone had tensioned all the belts just as tight as they could. I noticed the 1/2 inch rule failed on this vehicle, the belts did not give at all under thumb pressure. After replacing the water pump I tensioned the belts to a very loose 1/2 inch deflection. Pump never failed again.

Belt tension might be the problem for some of the cars you mention.

Serpentine belts (first used on the1979 Ford Mustang) use an automatic belt tensioner, so belt too tight does not explain your 2001 BMW Z3 water pump failure.

You're right! The Golden Rule according to the Monotype Corporation whose hot metal casters I operated for five years
was on a plate mounted to the belt guard - 'Belt should be adjusted to be as loose as possible consistent with efficient running'.

They used smooth flat belts running on flat pulleys, no flanges or concavity. Properly made (you had to cut your own belt and clamp wire loops on each end, that a rawhide pin went through) those belts would last for many hours of run time depending on how much you used the 'clutch' which was an arm that pushed the belt across to an idler pulley or pulled it back onto the driving pulley. The chafing of that arm was what caused the belts to fray and then fail, so if your machine ran long runs the belt lasted a long time. You had to watch those damn belts because they were driven from an overhead lineshaft and they were about eight feet long, so if one snapped all hell could break loose if the broken end got caught up in the overhead drive pulley!

[webenda]

To quote Murph, "Jeeeze!" Having a broken belt wrap around the overhead drive must have gotten your heart rate up. Where was the shut-off, over in the engine shed? OSHA would never approve.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

To quote Murph, "Jeeeze!" Having a broken belt wrap around the overhead drive must have gotten your heart rate up. Where was the shut-off, over in the engine shed? OSHA would never approve.

Could have pre-dated OSHA? OSHA was created in 1974. And, I'm not sure where that was for Mike, US or not?

[kerr]

I'd done my time, finished my apprenticeship by 1968 and I was still in England. The cut off was by the overseers desk.

[webenda]

[rogruth]

Wayne,

No way will I guess at what that is.

[webenda]

Roger,

If you right click the image, "Properties" will give it away--
"http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh79/webenda/Butterflies/CactusFlowerPetals.jpg"

[rogruth]

I right clicked the image but nothing about properties appeared.????

[rogruth]

Looks like a flower of some kind.

[webenda]

I don't know Roger? For most of us right clicking on an image brings up a window with "Properties" as one of the choices. The image is cactus flower petals.

[rogruth]

Wayne,

Not for me.I have seen that and used it but I can't get it to happen.Oh well.

[webenda]

Oh well.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I don't know Roger? For most of us right clicking on an image brings up a window with "Properties" as one of the choices. ..

Wait a minute...whatthehell.....? I'm going rawght now to check all the photos i posted for puzzles (alleged puzzles)....hhmmmmm....