The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi guys, just a quick query. When recently i was doing the work on my engine, i started the tractor without the belt on which drives the water pump and dynamo. It seems as though the pulley is almost loose, but the main bolt is not. Its almost as if the pulley has come apart, I noticed it because it makes a rattling noise when running, but when you put the belt back on and tighten it up the noise goes away.

Any suggestions?

Normally I would say the bearing is worn, but with the belt tight it seems unlikely. Is the pulley hub itself worn out? A tight belt can take out some play, but I would still be very suspicious and investigate further.

Hi Nick
this would not be the first one i've heard of or seen where the rivets that hold the pulley to the center boss have worn/ come loose . to try fix it take the pulley off, then clean all the grease and muck off.

Inspect the pulley and hub to check that the center hole that locates the pulley to the flange is not worn, and that the rivet holes are not way out too. if the pulley is a good fit and all rivets are there, support one side of the rivet( head) on a solid object, then beat the other side with a hammer to tighten the rivets again .
If the boss/ pulley hole or rivet holes/ rivets are worn real bad or missing buy a good used pulley to fit your motor and replace it.
If its worn bad you won't get it to run true or balance might possibly be off when it turns after doing it
I have had one here on a super that was all bolted together before. The rivets completely failed but it was a right mess again as the bolts came loose, and is probably re cycled as part of a Toyota somewhere in the world now
Regards Robert

Hi Robert

Nick's problem left me doing this! There is no bearing to get slack, so I couldn't work it out. Your explanation solves the riddle. Wonder what Nick will find - it can't be anything else, can it?

Best

Adrian

I took the belt off earlier, and it almost as though the pulley has come apart in two pieces, it has back to front movement and side to side movement! I will have a go at moving the pulley nut tomorrow and take the pulley off.

Although I reckon from whats been said, I will be searching for a new one

That being the case, I would buy a good 1 piece pulley if I couldn't get the rivets retightened.

Nick, congrads on the new wife! I hope she’s been getting a little Fordson grease under her nails!

If the rivets came loose on the pulley and its been bouncing around on the hub for a while and is all loose and sloppy, you will probably want to get a replacement unit as it would be rather difficult to get the pulley properly centered back on the hub to reattach it.

Pat

Used pulleys are hard to find without scoring on the oil seal face (where it goes through timing cover), something to look out for if buying "unseen" over the internet etc

Roadless63 wrote:Used pulleys are hard to find without scoring on the oil seal face (where it goes through timing cover), something to look out for if buying "unseen" over the internet etc

Hi
That's what a speedy repair sleeve is for, or if ya real cheap JB weld or a plastic metal compound and sand paper will work to . My customers that want a proper repair get the sleeve about $70 round here . or the botch and run guys have the $5 plastic metal repair . both seem to work and it's the customers money so his choice .
Regards Robert