T&T: alternator belt

[Phil de l'Etoile]

Smaller means in width or in length?

When I did mine, I cut the original (serpentine) belt and measured it
for a more accurate measurement of length.  I then went to Napa Auto
and got one slightly longer.  While at Napa, they had a belt measurer
which enabled them to stretch the belt tight and then read the
circumfence on the gage.  It kind of looked like a big, long,
shoe/foot sizer.

If you somehow ended up with two different pulley sizes throughout the
track of the belt, then I would think that you would have to address
that issue first.  When my alternator first came, it had the wrong
size pulley which needed to be replaced.

Phil

On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 9:51 AM, Larry N. Brown <cigano55 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Can't remember if I posted the problems that developed vis-avis my new series
> 6 Balmar aternator and the resolution of them but the upshot is that the
> manufacturer recommends the Gates green stripe belt. When I installed the
> alternator, I just used the same belt that was on the alternator- a Yanmar
> belt.
>
> When I got a new belt, it was very slightly smaller than the original. There
> was not enough diameter to fit it around the alternator pulley. A slightly
> larger belt will allow it to rub on a protuberance from the engine. Unless I
> fabricate a different mount, I'll need precisely the original size belt.
>
> Question: how can one reliably measure a belt size to order a replacement?
>
> Regards,
>
> Larry and Teri
> M/V Cigano, 47' Prairie Sundeck Cruiser
> Lying: Bear Point Marina
>           Orange Beach, AL
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