<VV> Mysterious Loosening Generator Pulley Nut

[djtcz at comcast.net]

Hi Craig, 


the main reason for any metal-to-metal bolted joint to loosen is insufficient torque at assembly. 
I don't have a generator era Corvair manual, but the 1958 Edsel manual calls for 30 to 50 lbs ft ( yeah, it said lbs feet back in '58). The pulley replacing process described requires removing the generator from the car and sneaking the armature out with the front bearing and housing still attached. The body of the generator is gripped in a vise with wood inserted to protect the generator rotor body. 


If the mating surfaces were torn up I'd be sure to smooth and flatten them to prevent "embedment" in service and subsequent loss of preload/clamping, and a third round of loosening. 


Dan T 

----- Original Message -----

From: cwiland at zzz.com 
Subject: <VV> Mysterious Loosening Generator Pulley Nut 

This has happened twice to my Spyder's generator. This last time I had 
about 200 miles on the engine/generator. Both times I installed a new 
key, cleaned the armature threads with acetone and installed the 
pulley with Loctite on the left-hand nut threads. When everything is 
secured I can feel a slight amount of play between the armature shaft 
and drive end ball bearing race. Could this set a vibration and work 
the nut loose? Anyone else have this problem and solve it? The 
generator has about 14000 miles on it since I rebuilt it with new 
bearings and brushes and it has the correct fan/pulley for a Spyder. 

Craig Wiland