Subject: Re: Running Like A Top!
Author: Bruce Giller
Date: Jul 29, 2002, 8:46 AM
Post ID: 1710691940
Keith,
My '72 Eldo had this problem as well. In the Beginning, the idle would
drop with the clutch pulled in, and sometimes not. Then it got to the
point that it dropped all the time, until it would stall the engine
altogether. Could be very disconcerting in certain situations. Turned
out that the clutch was the culprit - my tranny input hub had developed
notches on the splines to the point where the clutch plates
couldn't/wouldn't truly disengage. I replaced the whole clutch with the
newer, deeper hub and clutch discs. Problem vanished.
As to your generator belt, it is better to be on the loose side since a
overly tight belt will put more strain on the generator bearings. I
always put my extra spacers on the front of the pulley - the ones on the
back will reposition the pulley further out from the engine. To test
your belt tension, press midway between the two pulleys with 'moderate'
pressure and your deflection should be around 1/2" or so (can't remember
the exact value). It shouldn't be tensioned like a cable holding up the
Brooklyn Bridge.
Bruce
'72 Eldo
Keith Ruff wrote:
| Only questions I have are: 1. I tried to adjust out that engine idle slow down when the clutch is depressed while stopped. It idles perfect when in nuetral, no clutch application. As soon as the clutch is pulled in, the idle drops down to almost a stall situation. I pulled her back in the garage, put her on the center stand, and tried to adjust the clutch cable at the trans side but it did not help. I pulled the clutch and tightened up the cable - thereby giving it more pull on the clutch, but it didn't boost the idle whatsoever. Do many other owners have this same problem? I think I had read that the only fix is disassembly of the trans? Can I fix this or do I just live with it? Cam's Eldo has the same problem. 2. As far as the gen belt goes, it is better to have it adjusted a little tight or a little loose? The pulley originally had all 5 spacers in between the halves which is most likely the reason the belt exploded and burned up about a week ago. It was a brand new belt, I guess my mechanic friend didn't know how to or didn't bother adjusting it. When I put the new one on, with 5 spacers in there it was flapping around all over the place. I went to 3 spacers in the middle, one behind the back 1/2, and one up front, and it seemed ok. After running the engine a few times, then removing the cover again to rotate the engine for the valve adjustments, the belt felt a little loose, so I took out another spacer, now she's is snug and you can give it a firm squeeze to get some flex. Is this OK? I know the conscensus was overtight is not good for the gen bracket, but I figure this new belt will stretch a bit and will settle in to a little looser fit, so the tighter setting now should be ok. With 3 spacers in the middle, the belt was easy to squeeze. Did I do this right? Should I keep it tighter or go looser, my only concern with looser is if it stretches/breaks in a bit it may be too loose. Thanx again to all for help along the way and for the Loopframe Maintenance 101 education. Keith Ruff 71 Police Ambassador - NJ |