Alternator eatting belts????

[andy944]

I ran a search on alternators, belts, and breaking belts, now I just need some clarification.<br /><br />I have a rebuilt Volvo Ford 351 that has run without any problems until the alternator started burning up belts. The belts are sufficiently tight and the pulley spins freely without a belt on. There is also no up/down back and forth play in the pulley when the belt is off. When I spin the pulley without a belt by hand it has a very slight wobble to it (could hardly see it the first few times).<br /><br />Is the alternator really the problem, not just the belt alignment or something stupid?<br /><br />The number I have for the alternator is a Ford Autolite DOFF-10300-K 450watt 38A. I cannot find this thing online.<br /><br />Does anyone know of and inexpensive marine replacement unit?<br /><br />Thank you.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alternator eatting belts????

Pulleys are probably rusty, and it just grinds the belts away. Either clean and repaint or replace if the rust is too bad.

 

[tommays]

Re: Alternator eatting belts????

rusty pulleys seams to be the leading cause of belt eating if the alt is not locking up from a bad bearing or something<br /><br />some sanding and painting seams to be the cure<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Laddies]

Re: Alternator eatting belts????

Rusty pulleys are number one problem for sure, but make sure the new belts are the right width I have trouble with parts store selling belt that are to narrow--Bob

 

[andy944]

Re: Alternator eatting belts????

Thanks! Definatly worth a try before I pay for a new Alt. Never would have thought of it either. Not that I am compleatly penny wise a pound stupid but it still charges and new ones are a bit pricey.<br /><br />Thanks again, sill try it tonight.

 

[inlet]

Re: Alternator eatting belts????

Went throught that exact same situation last summer, finally solved it by using a mercruiser belt, parts store belt looked right, but apparantly not right enough.

 

[elpaso]

Re: Alternator eatting belts????

Rust eats belts.<br />When replacing the belts at auto supply -<br />they usually will have a cheap belt and <br />a good one - always buy the best.<br /><br />A $4.00 belt will not last long.

 

[elpaso]

Re: Alternator eatting belts????

Rust eats belts.<br />When replacing the belts at auto supply -<br />they usually will have a cheap belt and <br />a good one - always buy the best.<br /><br />A $4.00 belt will not last long.