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  #1  
Old 07-25-2013, 12:24 PM
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Belt Stretching - Are Some Brands Better Than Others

I installed a Sanden Compressor on my 617 engine and have been experiencing what I believe to be excessive belt stretch. I've had to re-tension the belt 4 times and if I adjust it any more the compressor will contact the subframe. I've never experienced a problem with a belt on any car over the last 50 years so I'm assuming I just got a bad one - not surprising perhaps with all the discussion about the quality deterioration in aftermarket parts overall.

So my question is, are there particular belt brands that are recommended for higher than average quality and longevity? And I suppose the corollary - are there belt brands to definitely stay away from?

Thanks

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  #2  
Old 07-25-2013, 12:26 PM
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I've always heard good things about Goodyear Gatorback belts
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  #3  
Old 07-25-2013, 12:37 PM
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I use mostly conti or MB OEM, my 190d has a gatorback serpentine. Good results with both...
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  #4  
Old 07-25-2013, 12:52 PM
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Continental....period
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

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100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership
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Old 07-25-2013, 01:23 PM
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belts don't stretch... they wear into the grooves of the pulleys. if they are wearing they are either slipping, or they are not aligned properly and they are wearing on the side.
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Old 07-25-2013, 01:45 PM
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DO NOT use belt dressing it's snake oil. Helps for a bit but you will hate yourself later on when you have to clean the pulleys
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Old 07-25-2013, 02:15 PM
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Cheaper belts do indeed stretch....
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership
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  #8  
Old 07-25-2013, 03:48 PM
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Well I have to say that the belts I provide with the Sanden retrofit kits are in fact cheap belts. I was told they were made by Goodyear, but I am sure they have different grades of belts. I have had to adjust the tension only once so far on my 240, and have not needed to do it yet on the 300 (7 cyl Sanden). I do know by experience that once they start to squeal and slip, they are not the same. I imagine that the cheaper belts are softer rubber, and probably won't last as long even in the best of conditions. It would be nice to know how the other buyers of the kits I have sold are doing with the belt provided.....Rich
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  #9  
Old 07-25-2013, 03:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doktor Bert View Post
Continental....period
Agreed although NAPA is pretty good as well. I think they may be rebranded Continental.
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  #10  
Old 07-25-2013, 04:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROLLGUY View Post
Well I have to say that the belts I provide with the Sanden retrofit kits are in fact cheap belts. I was told they were made by Goodyear, but I am sure they have different grades of belts. I have had to adjust the tension only once so far on my 240, and have not needed to do it yet on the 300 (7 cyl Sanden). I do know by experience that once they start to squeal and slip, they are not the same. I imagine that the cheaper belts are softer rubber, and probably won't last as long even in the best of conditions. It would be nice to know how the other buyers of the kits I have sold are doing with the belt provided.....Rich
Just for the record, although I'm using a modified version of the Sanden bracket, I am not using one of Rollguy's belts, so please don't associate my situation with what he's providing. I got mine at the local parts store by handing the counter guy the old belt and saying that I need one 1/2 shorter. In doing more careful research this time around, I believe I got a belt that was too big 17mm vs the 15mm one that Rollguy uses.
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  #11  
Old 07-25-2013, 04:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROLLGUY View Post
Well I have to say that the belts I provide with the Sanden retrofit kits are in fact cheap belts. I was told they were made by Goodyear, but I am sure they have different grades of belts. I have had to adjust the tension only once so far on my 240, and have not needed to do it yet on the 300 (7 cyl Sanden). I do know by experience that once they start to squeal and slip, they are not the same. I imagine that the cheaper belts are softer rubber, and probably won't last as long even in the best of conditions. It would be nice to know how the other buyers of the kits I have sold are doing with the belt provided.....Rich
Your kits are first rate nonetheless....
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership
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  #12  
Old 07-25-2013, 05:02 PM
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Contitech belts are the best. They are supposed to slightly shrink as it is in use.

I had good results with Gatorback Serpentine belts though.


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Old 07-25-2013, 11:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeliveryValve View Post
Contitech belts are the best. They are supposed to slightly shrink as it is in use.

I had good results with Gatorback Serpentine belts though.


.
I can't even imagine how any automotive belt could ever shrink! Sounds like ************ to me. Better compile a whoooole lotta of scientific labratory proof to sell that one!

Long story short, my word on automotive belts: Gates Greenstripe. The best belt made period. Bar none. End of any debate. There may be other belts as good. Maybe. Absolutely none better. Never heard of one stretching. Ever.

I am a convinced believer that automotive belts can and do stretch.

Once a belt has started to slip and squeal, game over, replacement time. It's been glazed or burned and will always continue to slip. Ditto if the belt ever does a twist or flip. The "back has been broken" and it will never stay on and run true after that. If that ever happens to a belt, that is sure fire confirmation you got the cheapest p.o.s. belt that could ever be made!
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Last edited by gear-head; 07-25-2013 at 11:26 PM. Reason: addendum
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  #14  
Old 07-25-2013, 11:36 PM
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brands to stay away from...

Brands of automotive belts I would recommend not ever buying are: Autozone store brand and Dayco. There are probably other brands that are just as lame, I just can't recall who's they are.
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  #15  
Old 07-26-2013, 12:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gear-head View Post
I can't even imagine how any automotive belt could ever shrink! Sounds like ************ to me. Better compile a whoooole lotta of scientific labratory proof to sell that one!

...
I read it on some article, but can't find it. I did however found this in their marketing material.

Quote:
High performance construction features include a synthetic fiber fabric cover, a special polyester cord designed to permit tightly controlled shrink, plus a polychloroprene rubber body, integrally molded cogs, and raw edges.

Continental Contitech




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