PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: 80_2.3_ESS on May 23, 2014, 12:16:52 PM
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So I am finishing my new motor and swapping parts over from my old motor.
The dual belts that drive the alternator, water pump and power-steering pump. I am looking to buy some new belts, but have no idea what to get. I could swear my dad had said something about buying "matched pairs" for these belts so that they were the exact same length.
Is there anyplace that offers these belts still?
This is a non-AC motor.
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Try your local NAPA and Autozone or Rock Auto.com
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I know they use to sell the belts in pairs, no idea if they still do. If not 2 new ones of the same brand would probably be close enough.
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As he says, use same branded same part number belts. I have never seen 'matched' belt pairs at any store I've ever bought at or worked in. Not saying they do not exist though. I simply sold pairs of same belt and customers were happy.
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I had never even heard of matched belts before reading this thread. After some searching, they seem to be more applicable to industrial usage where power transfer and load distribution is especially important. I'd just use regular belts myself.
I also found a spec that said matched belts under 60-something inches couldn't vary in length by more 0.150". I tend to doubt that good automotive belts vary more than that.
On top of that, an 80A alternator is only going to pull ~1.5hp through the belt, so I'm not sure why Ford used dual v-belts to begin with unless it's for simple redundancy.
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I always just got two of the same ones. But I remember looking at them one time and thinking they sure are a little different and kept my fingers crossed.It was more than a 1/5 or 16 `` maybe a 1/4 or more.
I think its just for power steering cars my 79 never had dual belt pulleys, it was non power brakes and non power steering.
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On top of that, an 80A alternator is only going to pull ~1.5hp through the belt, so I'm not sure why Ford used dual v-belts to begin with unless it's for simple redundancy.
I think the dual belts were used because they drive 3 accessories & don't get much wrap at each of the pulleys.
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Dual belts are not uncommon Mopar used them back in the 50's and Ford uses them in trucks, but they need to be bought in sets to be equal..
http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_truck_late/ford-pickup-truck-fan-belt-352-v8-f250-only-for-dual-belt-alternator.html (http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_truck_late/ford-pickup-truck-fan-belt-352-v8-f250-only-for-dual-belt-alternator.html)
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Note that nowhere in that post does anything say they are 'matched'.............. ....only possibly a set, which is simply two same numbered belts and no special matching. Looks to me by price though single belt there. Normal good quality belts should be able to be run as a pair anyway or they are not quality parts. They are supposed to be within .100" of each other.
Kinda silly anyway since all belts move around to stretch in slightly different amounts once they have run for ten minutes anyway. Ten minutes use is considered a used belt by belt makers. You'll know if they work by then.
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Im sure way back when I worked at the Ford dealer, the belts did come 2 to a package, but my memory could be playing tricks on me, I seem to recall being better looking too.. so.....
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Yes they did, and they were marked as matched sets for dual belt applications.
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I'd give you a dollar to a dime they simply paired belts and threw them in a common package.