The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Turnbuckle

So I saw something that I really liked on a 350 and I would like to use it in place of the top alternator / generator bracket. I am attempting to find the best turnbuckle to use on my 216. If anyone has any ideas as to where to find a good looking looking turnbuckle?

Thanks,

Chris

I thought that was a neat idea too when I saw one.

Then I thought how often do I adjust a fan belt, and how difficult is it with the standard bracket...?

I thought it would look good, easy to tighten or loosen a belt, and faster to replace a belt on the side of the road. The standard bracket also wobbles a bit.

Check out McMaster-Carr for turnbuckles. They have a good assortment so your should be able to find something that would work.

Thank you!

The ends of that part are commonly referred to as a heim joint ends. The Navy calls them circulating ball ends (at lest that is what my buddy Squid tells me). They are much better than a regular turn buckle.
Carl

McMaster has heim joint ends as well, both left and right threaded for use with turnbuckle bodies.

I will have to look up the tread pattern that I need for alternator on one side and thermostat housing bolt on other.

You just need to know the diameter of the bolts that will go thru the eye on the heim joints. Since nearly every bolt on a Chevy takes a 9/16" wrench, that would make them 3/8" diameter. The threads on the heim joint shaft need to match the turnbuckle body.

I'm using turnbuckles as replacements for my rear fender struts. I can easily make tire to fender gap adjustments and then readjust as I change tires. True Value hardware stores have a large assortment.

Yet another case of "if I don't understand your reason, your statement is wrong".

If the alternator pivot is restricted from movement not parallel to the rotor, then heim joints would work OK. But you're right, they would introduce some potential instability. But a standard strap type adjustment isn't that much better as far as keeping the alternator aligned.

Don't forget, left hand/right hand threads on the link, for however you do it.

Can you expound on this a bit? I don't follow your reasoning. I used to have long hair, so let er rip. I'll just read it slow.
Carl

Carl,

Is it because it allows it to swivel slightly?

Chris

It would be able to swivel if the pivot point were a single short bolt. But they're usually about 3 or 4 inches long, which restricts the movement only around the bolt. With the turnbuckle perpendicular to the axis of the pivot bolt on the opposite end of the generator/alternator. It can't move sideways. It's all about restricting the degrees of freedom. A long bolt takes care of two directions, and the third is taken care of by the turnbuckle or the standard adjusting strap.