Alternator Adjustment Strap - source?

[gjz30075]

You've got my interest!

[ElanDNA]

Hi
I'm gone an other way . My alternator is flexible mounted. Nothing will break. All vibration will damped by the springs.
The belt tension is easy to adjust.
Water pump and alternator bearings and the timing cover are not
overstressed. It's surprising how much way by all the tolerances the holder makes, most after a long time of standstill.
The system runs now a long time without problemes.

The first holder on the picture right side down was big, heavy, inexact and not stainless like the new version.

Cheers Urs

[2cams70]

That's a bit of a strange standard arrangement on the Elan with the forked end adjuster strap. None of the Twin Cam Ford vehicles had the forked end. The Ford parts book lists the same mounting arrangement and part numbers for both Twin Cam and Crossflow engines. See crossflow mounting diagram attached.

Maybe the Elan had early and late type mounting arrangements? I saw another thread on this forum which showed the Elan using the Ford lower bracket (unlike yours which is different). Maybe the Elan needs to be different to allow clearance for the front mounted dipstick? Never had any reliability issues with the alternator brackets on an Escort Twin Cam.

If I get a chance over the weekend I'll take a few pictures of how it's mounted on an Escort T/C. I'm curious as to why the Elan should be any different.

[mmatthej1]

Update : I spoke with Paul Matty's today - they say that the 'fork' is made deliberately wide, in order to accommodate the variety of positions that an alternator can take when fitted to Elans; it's perfectly OK to 'pack out' without risk.

So 'mystery solved' !

Unfortunately, they don't have the 'spreader plate' (as they term it) that 'pharisso' pictured near the start of this thread - I would ideally like to fit one of these; does anyone know of a supply source, please?

[661]

That's a bit of a strange standard arrangement on the Elan with the forked end adjuster strap. None of the Twin Cam Ford vehicles had the forked end. The Ford parts book lists the same mounting arrangement and part numbers for both Twin Cam and Crossflow engines. See crossflow mounting diagram attached.

Maybe the Elan had early and late type mounting arrangements? I saw another thread on this forum which showed the Elan using the Ford lower bracket (unlike yours which is different). Maybe the Elan needs to be different to allow clearance for the front mounted dipstick? Never had any reliability issues with the alternator brackets on an Escort Twin Cam.

If I get a chance over the weekend I'll take a few pictures of how it's mounted on an Escort T/C. I'm curious as to why the Elan should be any different.

I use this bracket from the escort TC

[Boomer100E]

Update : I spoke with Paul Matty's today - they say that the 'fork' is made deliberately wide, in order to accommodate the variety of positions that an alternator can take when fitted to Elans; it's perfectly OK to 'pack out' without risk.

So 'mystery solved' !

Unfortunately, they don't have the 'spreader plate' (as they term it) that 'pharisso' pictured near the start of this thread - I would ideally like to fit one of these; does anyone know of a supply source, please?

I got a spreader plate / mounting strap / bracing strap (or whatever else you want to call it!) from Kelvedon a few months ago. They show it as part of a kit, but were willing to sell it separately too.
Cheers, Doug

[wotsisname]

The kelsport kit looks nice. I see it also listed on SJSportscars as the individual components. This was an interesting thread for me - I now think I have a couple of bits missing - my car was converted by PO from a dynamo and it looks like the original mounting parts were modified.

[mmatthej1]

Thanks for pointers towards possible suppliers - my thoughts:

Kelvedon: Spreader looks good - they also offer a 'simple' (non-fork type) top adjustment mounting but it is a demi-moon (!) shape, rather than simple 'straight' shape. To my eye, it looks a bit long compared with straight -would the adjustment cut-out be in right place? Any thoughts?

SJ : Spreader looks a bit more basic (tho might just be photo) - they offer the fork-type top adjustment fitting, same as the one I bought from Paul Matty!

[mmatthej1]

Here is the SJ item:

[mmatthej1]

Having said all the above, I've just ordered a couple of bits from Kelvedon, who were most helpful in splitting kit and whose prices are:

Adjuster bracket: ?10.00,
Front Cover Strap: ?5.95

(plus VAT/postage)

I'll see whether I like their adjuster or the Matty fork-shape item, when it comes to fitting time, but at least I now have a choice, plus the new spreader strap !

Don't want to be off the road, now that Spring is occasionally here!

[rcraven]

The spreader / bracing strap is easy to make at home; you just need to take care to measure the spacing of the holes in a suitable piece of flat steel.

[Craven]

I had a bit of a job finding the correct length fanbelt after fitting mine, using the straight adjuster bar. The longer curved job may help with this, finished up with a 800mm belt.
Watch out for the V profile on belts
FWIW
Ron.

[pharriso]

The spreader / bracing strap is easy to make at home; you just need to take care to measure the spacing of the holes in a suitable piece of flat steel.

I can help with a drawing I have of the bracing strap, but for ?6 why bother?

[StressCraxx]

Another method is available from the Denso alternator conversion kits. Instead of a strap, a pair of simple 5/16" rod ends, with left hand and right hand threads, locknuts, and a barrel nut drilled from hex stock to make an adjustable mount.

Photos about halfway down this post:

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-electrical-f38/alternative-alternators-t26825.html

[Terry Posma]

Hi
I'm gone an other way . My alternator is flexible mounted. Nothing will break. All vibration will damped by the springs.
The belt tension is easy to adjust.
Water pump and alternator bearings and the timing cover are not
overstressed. It's surprising how much way by all the tolerances the holder makes, most after a long time of standstill.
The system runs now a long time without problemes.

P020.JPG

P021.JPG

P022.JPG

P023.JPG

Cheers Urs

Would it be possible to get more detail of the sprung loaded adjuster? Would love to have something like that on the alternator on my yacht. I have allot of problems with slipping and vibration.