Changing the top alternator belt series 1 400

Hello, Jim...I have a series 2 1985 400i, don't know if the belt layout on the upper alt is the same, but here is a pic and the new belt I put on in 5 minutes.

Gary
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Upper is easy, now the lower one.......

 

Photo of your problem? No XXX stuff please. This is a family thread

 

Yep, I think I can see the problem. That doesn't look like the factory pulley. It may have been replaced at some point. Yuck! Looks like you may have to pull the alternator.

 

I agree that pulley looks too large for the belt size that's on it....

 

Jim......
when I started my 400i last week I heard a belt making noise, and remembered there were some original spare belts in the tool/firstaid kit, all had the original Gates label with the part number.

Comparing those labels with the parts diagram part numbers, my car uses a qty of 2 - 7M560 ( 8903-0560 ) OE # 100516 belts for the power steering.......1 7M670 ( 8903-0670 ) OE # 111285 for the upper alt....and 1 of a 7M650 ( 8903-0650 ) OE # 108981 for the lower alt.......not including the a/c belts, 2 - 13X710 OE # 100475.

Are these the sizes you are using ? If someone has changed a pulley diameter, the belt length would need to change.

Gary

PS: today I ordered a full set of the 7M belts, each belt was less than $12, as compared to $60 to $80 each from other vendors, I should get them in a few days.

 

Hi Jim,

Your pulley is the same size as the ones on mine (sorry for the poor picture).

I replaced all 6 belts on my car that's on the road & it was not a fun job. The belt for the top alternator will have more clearance if the two belts to the left that go down to the crankshaft pulley are old & stretched. With new belts I found that I had to move the two belts on the left down next to their pulley to allow the adjusting arm to swing up high enough to get some clearance for the top belt then return the other two belts to their pulley. I also loosened the pulley on the main crank to allow it to move forward which made the whole job easier.

All the belts are available through CBC in Aus.

Cheers Al
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Hi Gary,
In your message you said you had "ordered a full set of the 7M belts, each belt was less than $12".
My tool kit only has one spare belt (a Gates one) so I am intending to get the ones that are missing. Where did you order your belts from? I will be in Florida soon so it could be a good opportunity to buy some whilst there.
Thanks, Peter

 

Peter.....
my set should be here in a few days, I would like to wait until I have them in hand before I let out the contact info, but I am sure they will be fine. This set is going on the car, if they are OK I plan on ordering another complete set and put the "old labels" on them to keep with the tools.
I was lucky to have my spare belts in the tool kit with original Gates labels on them, even if they are 30 years old, I used those numbers to go shopping on the web.
When will you be in Florida ? What area ? North ? South ? I could let you grab my "spare" set or you can order them when you get here.

Gary

 

Amazon has the belts for about $20 delivered.
Jay Leno mentioned in an interview where he was talking about his past career as a car mechanic that the belts on a Ferrari 400 was the worst job he ever had to do. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CJLSLG8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1447294427&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Gates+7M560+Polyflex+Belt%2C+7M&dpPl=1&dpID=31UCMlJWoML&ref=plSrch

 

FYI, when I did my AC work I took the hood off. Made getting to that part of the engine much easier.

 

You can solve the problem by making an incision on the side of the pulley, engage the belt at this point to move it.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I'm a bit surprised at you guys. Obviously none of you have ever read a the service manual for these cars. Each section starts out exactly the same.
1) Block wheels
2) Disconnect battery
3) Disassemble entire car
4) Perform intended service.....

 

I can believe that - many years ago I tried for hours to do the upper belt on my car but I just couldn't get it over the pulley. I eventually took it to a Mercedes mechanic who slipped it on with some magic trickery.

 

Gary,
Will be in Florida in about 10 days time but will be the other side to you, near Fort Myers, visiting family. If your belts are ok then I could order some whilst I am in Florida. Do Gates belts have date stamps on them in the same way that tyres do?
I have only had my 400i a couple of months or so and there are a few minor things that do not work or need adjustment ( some are electrical ones, even I am not surprised about that). So, you will probably see my name requesting advice a number of times in the near future.
Thanks for your help.
Regards, Peter

 

Peter......
I should get my set soon, I will let you know then, seems there are other sources out on the www.
I have been up and down that side of Florida, nice area, you get the sunset, we get the sunrise.

Gary

 

Hello everyone.....here is where I got my skinny belts, or at least I have 3 out of 4 so far.

Browse by Category - ROYAL SUPPLY an industrial supply place out of Ohio

7M560 Gates was $11.49, each for 2
7M650 Gates was $11.56
7M670 Gates was $11.66, and is on backorder

Shipping was $14.12 to Florida

Peter, these are the belts I got....

No connection with these guys, just found them on the web.

Gary

Pardon the fuzzy pic
Image Unavailable, Please Login