alternator pulley size?

[monkeymissile]

Gents,
I couldn't get my original fan belt to fit when I swapped the generator for a military alternator so I got the next longer size belt, but it's too long. Can I increase the pulley size on the alternator to help take up the slack or will that affect alternator performance?

thanks.

[Brett]

I checked the parts reference on Cabell Garbee's site and it shows the correct belt being a B52 which is 55" long. The next size up is a B53 which is 56" in length. I'm guessing that your original belt was shorter, or where you went for the new belt didn't have what you really needed. There is a belt out there that will fit correctly. I would look in that direction before changing the pully out. BTW both of those belts are less than $9 each at rockauto.

Brett

[monkeymissile]

I checked the parts reference on Cabell Garbee's site and it shows the correct belt being a B52 which is 55" long. The next size up is a B53 which is 56" in length. I'm guessing that your original belt was shorter, or where you went for the new belt didn't have what you really needed. There is a belt out there that will fit correctly. I would look in that direction before changing the pully out. BTW both of those belts are less than $9 each at rockauto.

Brett

thanks Brett, yeah you pretty much hit it on the head; my local parts store didn't have much to offer. I'll re-measure my old belt and see if I can get what I need at rock auto.

thanks again!

[m37jarhead]

Maybe the question to ask is: Are both pullies the same size? If they are then take the old belt into the auto parts store and let them size it for you. If the pullies are NOT the same size you may have other issues besides belt diameter to deal with. Just a thought.

[monkeymissile]

Maybe the question to ask is: Are both pullies the same size? If they are then take the old belt into the auto parts store and let them size it for you. If the pullies are NOT the same size you may have other issues besides belt diameter to deal with. Just a thought.

no, the alternator came with a larger multi-groove pulley so I swapped with the one from the generator. I did bring in the old belt, but the next larger size they had was too long.

[ODUSAOK]

Greetings,I would change a pulley for clearance of diameter only as a last resort as this will change the speed of the driven item,your alternator in this case.Too big and you'll be going slower and maybe not charging as soon or at as high a rate.Too small and you may overdrive the bearings and cause premature wear and possible failure.The longer belt is the best way to go as mentioned as it doesn't change the speed.Just a thought.

[monkeymissile]

I checked the parts reference on Cabell Garbee's site and it shows the correct belt being a B52 which is 55" long. The next size up is a B53 which is 56" in length. I'm guessing that your original belt was shorter, or where you went for the new belt didn't have what you really needed. There is a belt out there that will fit correctly. I would look in that direction before changing the pully out. BTW both of those belts are less than $9 each at rockauto.

Brett

got a B53 belt, will try it out this weekend.......

[monkeymissile]

the Gates B53 belt fit perfectly, thanks!