Yesterday when I went out to start the $200 Honda, it started making a awful screeching noise that seemed to be coming from the water pump. I had tightened that belt on Sunday because it was tending to squeal. All seemed to be OK as I made two round trips to Austin on that day but yesterday afternoon proved to be another story.
At any rate, I did not look forward to changing out a water pump etc so I let it sit and drove the T-Cab (which always starts and goes) to the free Veteran's dinner at the Golden Corral. I would look the Honda over today.
This morning, I went to the VA for a flu shot then had coffee with one of my "grumpo" friends and picked up new belt for the Honda on the way home.
When I went out to fiddle with the Honda, further investigation confirmed that the alternator/waterpump belt was indeed toast. Loosened the adjustment bolt and the damned whole assembly (alternator/bottom bracket) fell out through the bottom onto the ground. Looking further, saw that the previous owner did not bolt in the lower alternator support to the engine block. Worse, the alternator to bracket bolt was so damned tight I could not budge it.
I knew that I had an extra alternator and that my spare engine block probably had the lower mount still on it (which it did). Collected these parts and put it back together along with a new belt that I picked up on the way home. Everything is in place but it was getting too late to finish as the mosquitos were starting to have a feast.
So, tomorrow, I finish buttoning it up and take the other alternator bracket to Art Day Sr's place (local Honda specialist) and get the other alternator/bracket bolt loose.
All in all, it might have turned out to be a decent day...
JT
(When it comes to push 'n shove, the Studebaker always saves the day!)