How to tighten fan belt?

2n ford

Member
I’m having some overheating issues and my fan belt is fairly loose. There is probably 2 inches of play. I have read there should be half an inch. The blades still spin but maybe not fast enough to keep the radiator cooled? How do you tighten this belt? There is no tensioner bolt like I have seen on older fords to bring the generator in and out to tighten the belt. Anyone else have a set up without the long tensioner bolt and had to tighten the fan belt? Any info would be awesome.
 
Picture would be nice of your set-up. It would be odd if you did not have some sort of pivot that allows for installation and removal (and proper tightening) of the belt. But a previous owner could have messed up the plan and just fed a belt (too large a one) over the three pulleys to half work. You might take it off and get a smaller belt from a parts store and try to get it on. Most likely there is some sort of arrangement to take out the slack, but you might be at the max position and a smaller belt would be necessary to solve the problem.
 
I have several early 9Ns that do not have a tensioner bolt. I just loosen the bolt holding on the generator and hold it out to the the
desired tension while tightening the bolt. Might take three hands but I can do it without a third hand.
 
(quoted from post at 10:00:36 08/02/18) I have several early 9Ns that do not have a tensioner bolt. I just loosen the bolt holding on the generator and hold it out to the the
desired tension while tightening the bolt. Might take three hands but I can do it without a third hand.

Thanks for the tip! I was hoping that could be done.
 
The original three Ford 9N generators only had the mounting pivot bolt for belt tension. If the farmer didn't stop every few hours to tighten the belt tension, they would end up dead in the field by the end of the day or sooner, like what Harold said. It wasn't until the release of the 2N-10000 generator that Ford Engineers finally determined the cause of non-charging issues. Then they designed a belt tensioning device that bolted onto the generator barrel with an additional piece bolted on to the cylinder head. Soon after, in 1945, Ford then offered a belt tensioning kit for the earlier 9N-10000-C generator, identical to the 2N unit, but the kit did not work on the earlier 9N-A and 9N-B generators -they had smaller barrels. When the 8N tractor was released in July, 1947,it had a new generator and a new, different belt tensioner. If you don't have the proper belt tension, you will never efficiently charge the battery. the spec is 1/2" play in belt. 2.0" is unacceptable.

2N-10000-C GENERATOR w/BELT TENSIONER:
9VCjPFnh.jpg

2N-10181-B BELT TENSIONER KIT FOR THE 9N-10000-C GENERATOR:
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8N-10000 GENERATOR WITH BELT TENSIONER:
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Tim Daley(MI)
 
Thank you! I loosened the bolt on the generator and rolled it until it had proper tension then retightened. I can tell a big difference already with it not overheating. Also replaced the radiator hoses and thermostat. The tensioner bolt would be a nice addition but for now I will just check it and readjust when needed. I was having charging issues and now I know why. The loose belt was a problem in more than one way. Thanks for all the knowledge.
 

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