Changing the fan belt

Shredded my fan belt a couple of days ago. It hadn't been changed since at least 1965. I picked up a replacement at my local tractor dealer. This one matched the old one. You can read the specs on the photo.

The warning signs came slowly. The first sign was that my starter light stayed on when the engine was running. Usually, it comes on after you turn the ignition, but before you press the starter button. I thought it was some wiring. The next sign was when the fluid in the radiator started to boil. That's when I checked the radiator and discovered a shredded fan belt.

The fan belt drives drives the radiator fan (shown at right) and the dynamo (better know in North America as the alternator) shown in the lower right of picture. That's why my starter light wouldn't go out. Without the dynamo turning, the electrical system was drawing on the battery, which causes the starter light to go on. Without the fan going, the radiator overheated as the fluid boiled.

The alternator mounting is designed so that when you loosen it, it swings to slacken the fan belt. All you need is a 1/4" wrench and and ratchet set. The belt then goes over the fan blades one at a time and around the pulleys without too much difficulty. You need to tighten the tension using the alternator after 5 minutes.