501 Belt tensioner

[mrbiccies]

Just received a 501x belt tensioner (53967) with the intention of fitting it to my DB01, what bearings do I need and what size is that little spacer front post???
Thought this would of been a complete kit.......

cheers.

[AaronR]

The bearing size is 5x9x4mm. http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/ite...oduct-id=51090

I'm not sure what spacer you are talking about as these bearings should just screw onto the eccentric tensioners with 3x6mm screws.

[CAClark]

I'd wondered about getting this for my Durga as well, is it really a worth while addition?

Cheers!

[Spoolio]

The "spacer" you are referring to is the BM9 (at least I think thats the number) out of the motor parts bag - it's the only spare blue anodised part you should have left after the car has been built so its easy to spot.

The bearings are the infuriatingly uncommon 950 type and relatively speaking they are flippin expensive. I think I paid £5+ for mine as the only ones I could find were genuine Tamiya ones and you only get 2 in a pack as well.

To be honest I am not sure the "tensioners" are strictly necessary as I ran my car without them with a 5.5T b/less motor and had no problems with belt slippage. They don't actually tension the belt itself, they're just there to prevent it leaping away from the centre drive-pulley under heavy loading/unloading. I only put them on as I'd already ordered them beforehand - not realising I needed some 950 bearings too - and when the bearings finally arrived it seemed a shame to leave them in the spares box.

[mrbiccies]

Originally Posted by Spoolio

The "spacer" you are referring to is the BM9 (at least I think thats the number) out of the motor parts bag - it's the only spare blue anodised part you should have left after the car has been built so its easy to spot.

The bearings are the infuriatingly uncommon 950 type and relatively speaking they are flippin expensive. I think I paid £5+ for mine as the only ones I could find were genuine Tamiya ones and you only get 2 in a pack as well.

To be honest I am not sure the "tensioners" are strictly necessary as I ran my car without them with a 5.5T b/less motor and had no problems with belt slippage. They don't actually tension the belt itself, they're just there to prevent it leaping away from the centre drive-pulley under heavy loading/unloading. I only put them on as I'd already ordered them beforehand - not realising I needed some 950 bearings too - and when the bearings finally arrived it seemed a shame to leave them in the spares box.

Thanks for that, nice one

[Howard1650]

I'm building my 501X WCE (IMHO great to built, even with the kit screws). How tight should the belt tensioners be?
Just touching the belt, so the bearing turn?
Or, push the belt onto the pulley, so you can 'feel' the notches in the belt as it turns?
Plus, any tips on holding the bottom one while you tighten it?

Thanks

[DCM]

bearings ?? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5x9-x3mm-Blue-...742.m153.l1262

I dunno if it is really needed though.... the tensioner, I thought about it, maybe it might allow you to run the belts just a tiny bit looser though...

[The Hoff]

Anybody know what the part number is for the belt tensioner Hupo was using on the top deck of his 501 ?.

[bender]

Originally Posted by Howard1650

I'm building my 501X WCE (IMHO great to built, even with the kit screws). How tight should the belt tensioners be?
Just touching the belt, so the bearing turn?
Or, push the belt onto the pulley, so you can 'feel' the notches in the belt as it turns?
Plus, any tips on holding the bottom one while you tighten it?

Thanks

Neither

They should be placed just off the belt - so there is a very tiny gap between the belt and the bearing. As Spoolio said they are only there to stop the belt from rising far enough off the pulley to cause slip.

If you adjust them so that they are permantently rubbing or pressing against the belt then you will have a lot of extra drag in the drivetrain.

[The Hoff]

Originally Posted by The Hoff

Anybody know what the part number is for the belt tensioner Hupo was using on the top deck of his 501 ?.

Anyone

[DCM]

it is one off the touring cars, trf416 or the later 415's