hi all,
running or hoping to run a 2l silvertop zetec, have changed the water pump with no problems and now putting the fan belt back on although i am having some problems with that! i just cant get it on! feels like the alternator is just out of reach, does anyone have a pic of what it should look like?
do i need to change the alternator?

sorry if its basic stuff but we were all learners at some point!

Asking the obvious - have you slackened off the alternator adjustment?

the obvious may be the answer!
i take it that is just the bolt on the alternator wheel released?

actually im not sure that is going to work, the alternator is not going anywhere it is bolted down hard but there is a tensioner below it but even then there is not quite enough slac, plus it is a ribbed belt and the tensioner wheel is suposed to be smooth!

Most alternators have a pivot bolt at one end and an adjuster mech at the other. On mine (Pinto) i have to loosen the pivot bolt, then the adjuster. Slide the alternator towards engine, belt on then adjust the slack first and nip up the adjuster. Then nip up the pivot bolt.

Some cars have a slotted adjuster, others have a screw type. Either way you hove to slacken off to release tension fully. Belt may still be a touch tight to get over but once on you will see it is slack.

For tension - on the longest run with finger and thumb you should be able to just turn it 90deg. That is the basic rule without getting a tension gauge out. Works for me.

I thought the standard setup used a spring loaded pulley...

Ditch the standard setup and make or buy a new fitting to mount the alternator. You can then ditch all the other pulleys used when the engine has PAS and A/C. Most fit an alternator under the inlet manifold with a belt to a grooved water pump pulley and bottom crank pulley only. This is far easier and allows you to tension the belt using a traditional arm/bolt arrangement on the alternator.

I think I've a silvertop tensioner on my install. Basically get a big spanner on the tensioner and rotate it clockwise. The tensioner should then move and allow you to slide the ribbed belt (which you've already put over the water pump and tensioner) over the alternator.

HTH

Stephen
Rescued attachment normal_IMG_5168.jpg

on the silver top most ditch the mondeo bracket and tensioner.

Not a mondeo alternator but you get the idea.

[Edited on 5/4/07 by big_wasa]

And this set up I made my self from a renault 5 alternator

And this set up I made from a sierra dohc alternator

To add you will also need to change the pulley to one from an escort aswell.. Ie ribed and not smooth

My setup is very similar to that shown by Big Wasa.
If you can get hold of an alternator of a DOHC or 1.8CVH Sierra it already has the correct pulley. They are available new off ebay (that's where mine came from) for a reasonable price.