Re: It's finally in my garage!!!

["therealdmcvegas" <DMCVegas@xxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxx, Tony Pistachio <TheStash@xxxx> wrote:
> Hi,
> I've included my original e-mail below since it's been a while 
and I also had to change my ISP.
> 
> Well I finally got my first D from Rob at PJ Grady's.
<SNIP>

Congradulations!


> Anyway, I had a few small problems and questions:
> Friday night the alternator belt fell off and Saturday the 
Passenger side power window stopped working. The window 
came to a grinding halt about midway and only goes clicl click 
click no matter what direction you try to go.
<SNIP>
> I'm sure it's just a freak occurrence but can't help asking the 
question to the group if this belt flying off happened to anybody 
else?
<SNIP>

After 20 years, the plastic gears inside of the window motors are 
prone to break. The newer heavy-duty regulators are your best 
bet.

As for the alternator belt, yes, I've had this same problem myself. 
What can cause the belt to come loose is if it is cut by the 
Alternator blades. As the alternator spins, the blades will flex 
outwards twards the belt. The faster the RPM's, the more the 
blades will flex. This condition can happen with one of the 
following conditions:

1. Blades on the alternator are already bent.
2. The engine was 'redlined' causing the blades to flex too far.
3. The incorrect belt type was used.
4. The belt was loose.

If the blades are bent, there is a way to repair them. Although it 
isn't for the faint of heart. It's in the archives, or I can send you 
directions. Over reving the engine will cause the blades to flex 
too far, and they will hit the belt. As another note, do not trust 
crossover parts to always work properly. This goes for the belt 
as well. The Kelly-Springfield belt is WAY too thick. It will not seat 
properly in the pulleys, and will come into contact with the blades 
under low. high-end RPM's. A belt that fits fine is made by 
Dynaflex.

Loose belts are the biggest no-no out there. They are caused by 
improper installation. Either the given of under tensioning, or 
even overtensioning. If the belt is streched too far, it can strech, 
and will loose it's taughtness fairly quickley withing a few 
months. Many thanks to DMC Joe for advising me not to 
overtension!


> Is it bad to leave the doors fully open for long periods of time to 
air out the musty smell? Of course being garaged and 
disconnecting the dome light switches. It seems like a good 
thing (if you can keep the cat out of it) because there's less 
tension on the door torsion bars.
<SNIP>

The best way to air the car out is by driving it! I beleive this topic 
was brought up way back, and the concensus was that while it 
would releve tension on both the torsion bars, and the struts, it 
would hold the door seals above in a streched position. Don't 
worry about the torsion bars wearing out. With proper care, they'll 
probably outlast the car.


> The front end creaks. Referring to a previous note "Can you 
grease those squeaky shocks?" How do you know it's the 
shocks that are squeaking and not something else?
<SNIP>

Sounds like it's time to lube the front end! Check one of the 
current discussions going on for this one.

Hope this helps!


-Robert
vin 6585 "X"