how tight should ALL the belts be? i was always told as tight as u can make them, but wouldnt that add a lot more resistance to the motor? how much play should there be in the belts?

 

You can actually buy a gauge that measures belt tension for cheap. The only way I have ever done it is to tighten the belt until it has about an inch or so of deflection. You don`t want to tighten them so much you damage any components. If your belts are squealing, you need to clean your pulleys and check/replace your belts.

 

belts too tight can and will damage the unit they drive . the normal rule is 1/2 to 3/4 in. deflection at the longest span of the belt . after one week of operation , recheck and reset tension . just a normal rule of thumb . [ who is normal , not me . 68 yrs. old and still a gearhead ]

 

Uncle Tom,I agree totally. I am only 57 and permanently disabled and bought my first 3rd gen last year. Old age and treachery will beat out youth and good looks. I am not sure about these serpentine systems yet, all I know is I have not had any problems with it yet.

 

hey cool to get a reply , i think there are many of us old pharts that are messing with 3rd. gens . old hot rod stuff still works . any other old pharts out there ? [ this will blocked i am sure ] any way young people welcome to the gearhead syndrome ,"BEWARE " there is no cure . once a gearhead always a gearhead . I LOVE IT ....

 

haha tom, if u want abnormal, u should meet my dad. aside from being a flat out nut, hes 63 and has two Ford Model-T's. one we finished restoring about 4 years ago. the other's body is sitting in the garage because we cant decide if we want to make a hot rod out of it or put it back to the way it should be. we restored the frame fully and its been waiting in the backyard under a tarp for two years because he keeps changing his mind. im not sure we r ever gonna finish that car haha

 

rule of thumb is 1/4th in. of deflection per foot.

 

Uncle Tom, have you figured out if the computer hurts or helps in general? They always seemed to me to be one more thing to go wrong. I hav`nt had any problems with the one on my `88 Iroc yet.

 

i couldn't say , i have an 89rs lo3 eng and mild mods. . have not had any problems with mine in 3+ yrs. i have owned it . hope i don't . all problems unique to thirdgens that i have had i have been able resolve with this forum .
good luck .