JE alternator bracket

[Harvy500]

After (months ago) asking about a John Eales alternator bracket I contacted them. Told out of stock of new ones.
Second hand ones they said they did have but refused to sell me one. (???!!)
After being told they'd get back to me when they have them in stock and months later not getting said notification it got me thinking.
Just go and buy a shorter belt and route it they same route as the Eales kit BUT still using the tensioner.
A few days after that thought about it and had a measure of estimated belt length I'd need. A few days later arrived a PK71250 (7 rib total length 1250mm) belt.
Went to fit it and it was very close but fitted.
To be honest, a PK71270 would have been better..
I completely removed the 'dumb' power steering assembly and found said bearing on that unnecessary pulley VERY noisy.
Started my car, absolutely zero issues with anything other than the basic engine noise was clearly less whiny due to that very tired bearing..
Save yourself a load of cash and keep the reassurance of having a sprung tensioner in place.

[spikep]

I’ve had a 1260 belt on for about 3 years now.

[Belle427]

Enlighten me on what the Eales alternator bracket actually does as i keep hearing about it but dont know what it achieves.

[Harvy500]

The Eales bracket allows that you can adjust the angle of said alternator so you can remove the tensioner and do away with the dummy power steering pump etc.
My concern was with no tensioner you/I would have to constantly monitor the belt tension and tighten it by moving the alternator outwards.
To be honest, pointless exercise.
Said bracket is about £100 plus the belt.
Just buy a PK71260 or 1250 (1250 bloody tight to fit) and do the same.
All I wanted was the dummy power steering pump gone as I suspected the bearing was whining.
Upon removing it, I was right. Noisy!
Next mission is swap the bearing in the tensioner and that's 100k miles worth of bearing wear gone.

[Sardonicus]

You dont constantly have to monitor belt tension with the JE bracket if you do you didnt tension the belt correctly in the first place .... period , pictured here been using it over 15 years inc many other owners same outcome less clutter and tidier solution

[Johno]

I won't go down the rabbit hole of the banana bracket

Different question on the JE Bracket, I've seen is written a spacer is required, not supplied. What's your experience Sardonicus?

I've had this on my to do for 15yrs, just haven't got round to it - may do it this winter.

[Sardonicus]

A 8mm stud and a half nut will give you this allowing proper tensioner bracket function

[Johno]

Sardonicus said:

A 8mm stud and a half nut will give you this allowing proper tensioner bracket function

Seen that picture before and shows how it should be fitted.

I have read other posts saying a spacer was required and not sure what they were referring too, whether these posts referred to the adjustment bracket or somewhere else wasn't clear to me.

I quite like the idea of a tie bar arrangement as well, but perhaps that just over-complicates the set up.

[Ballistic Banana]

Johno said:

I won't go down the rabbit hole of the banana bracket

I do have a Knack of making bespoke brackets especially for sensors though!!

BB

[Johno]

Ballistic Banana said:

Johno said:

I won't go down the rabbit hole of the banana bracket

I do have a Knack of making bespoke brackets especially for sensors though!!

BB

[Sardonicus]

Johno this is a turn-buckle style arangment using a rose joint below because I use a more compact KA alternator since that much earlier pic but you can get ideas from this hopefully .......

[Johno]

Now we’re talking…. Which alternator are you using? Ford Ka? Or something more special?

Brise do lovely starters for the RV8, but not a suitable alternator. I was mildly surfing looking for a more compact unit the other day. Hence I’m intrigued to what you’ve chosen and why?