One belt or two?

[Jim Owens]

Bob,

Our 77 FC33 is a gas 'Bird but there is a dual row pulley on the
crank. We've suffered repeated breakdowns because the alternator
wouldn't align prpoerly. After repeatedly throwing belts a mechanic
suggested a temp fix of running one belt on the front groove of the
crank pulley and the rear groove of the alt pulley. It worked, after
a fashion, for a while. The solution was a smaller alternator
(physical size) but with more output. It required the fabrication of
a new bracket. The alternator in question was rebuilt - supposedly
the same as was installed on the coach previously.

If the belts align properly, I think you should run two.

Jim Owens
77 FC33SB (Gas)
Lake of the Ozarks, MO







--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
> Just pulled the radiator on my 77FC31 and examined the front end of
> the Cat 3208NA.
>
> The fan with a viscous clutch had two belt grooves that aligned
well
> with two on the drive pulley, that being the crankshaft.The groove
> without the belt was rusty as the result of not being used. The
> existing belt, a Green Stripe Gates (9430) was not cracked,
chaffed,
> or badly worn in spite of being in service for 18* years. The
Krikit
> gauge read 50#, a few pounds low but expected for time in service
> without adjustment.
>
> Right now I don't know if I lost one or didn't put one on to start.
>
> A safe answer would be, Sure!, you got two grooves haven't you? I
> would like to know what others are running here, one or two belts.
>
> Thanks,
> Bob Janes
> FC31 3208NA, "Ruffin it EZ"
> Greenville, SC