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FD Alt on S4 FC Pulley Problem (Mazdatrix Pulley)

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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 03:43 PM
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Question FD Alt on S4 FC Pulley Problem (Mazdatrix Pulley)

Hey guys,

I'm having some issues mounting my new Mazdatrix pulley to my 93-95 FD Alternator. I have removed the OEM spacer on the FD alternator because the pulley comes pre-spaced from Mazdatrix. I then install the pulley in this order Pulley, Washer, Nut. I then proceed to torque down the nut holding the pulley and washer via impact gun. But, here's the problem, when torqued down the pulley makes contact with the alternator housing and won't spin freely. It locks up. I had to use a pulley puller to remove the pulley. Am I missing something or do I have a defective pulley with the wrong size spacer? Help me out.

Thanks
- Nick
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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Silver Comet
Hey guys,

I'm having some issues mounting my new Mazdatrix pulley to my 93-95 FD Alternator. I have removed the OEM spacer on the FD alternator because the pulley comes pre-spaced from Mazdatrix. I then install the pulley in this order Pulley, Washer, Nut. I then proceed to torque down the nut holding the pulley and washer via impact gun. But, here's the problem, when torqued down the pulley makes contact with the alternator housing and won't spin freely. It locks up. I had to use a pulley puller to remove the pulley. Am I missing something or do I have a defective pulley with the wrong size spacer? Help me out.

Thanks
- Nick
You could perhaps have the wrong sized spacer and/or your pulley size is different. the S4 pulley has a slightly smaller shaft than the FD alt (I took mine to a shoppe and made the hole bigger for it). Do you see impacting the alt?
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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by w0ppe
You could perhaps have the wrong sized spacer and/or your pulley size is different. the S4 pulley has a slightly smaller shaft than the FD alt
The center hole isn't his problem, the spacing is. I've not seen the Mazdatrix pulley in person, I used a stock pulley/spacer.
Have you tried measuring the pulley depth/spacer thickness and comparing your stocker to the new pulley?
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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 04:35 PM
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get a bigger spacer.I had this problem when going to an FD alt on an s4.
luckily I had a spare Fd alt and used the inside spacer from the old one with the new alternator and it brought the pulley out far enough.
That spacer was thicker than the original outside one.
I ran into the same problem with the "Higgi pulley" too.You know,the one with the Rotor design on the Front?...that one.
edit:..Is the pulley meant for an Fd alternator?.

Last edited by misterstyx69; Mar 31, 2013 at 04:58 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 07:14 PM
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The mazdatrix s4 pulley for FD alt has a built in spacer. I have the same unit. I had to sand the annodize off it to get it to slide onto the shaft. Fitment looks ok, but I haven't tightened it. My suggestion would be to use lock thread and not tighten it so much? Take it to a grinder and remove a small bit of material where it is coming in contact?

I'd call mazdatrix first. Their telephone support has always been more than pleasant for me.
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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by w0ppe
You could perhaps have the wrong sized spacer and/or your pulley size is different. the S4 pulley has a slightly smaller shaft than the FD alt (I took mine to a shoppe and made the hole bigger for it). Do you see impacting the alt?
I'm using the Mazdatrix double pulley used to fit on earlier Rx-7's Pulleys, Fan Clutches, Thermostats, Belts so the input shaft size isn't the problem. The spacing is.

Originally Posted by clokker
The center hole isn't his problem, the spacing is. I've not seen the Mazdatrix pulley in person, I used a stock pulley/spacer.
Have you tried measuring the pulley depth/spacer thickness and comparing your stocker to the new pulley?
I didn't receive the pulley when I bought the alternator so I can't do that. Even if I could I don't think it'd matter because the FD alt pulley was going on an FD and the Mazdatrix is going on an FC so the spacing has to be different.

Originally Posted by misterstyx69
get a bigger spacer.I had this problem when going to an FD alt on an s4.
luckily I had a spare Fd alt and used the inside spacer from the old one with the new alternator and it brought the pulley out far enough.
That spacer was thicker than the original outside one.
I ran into the same problem with the "Higgi pulley" too.You know,the one with the Rotor design on the Front?...that one.
edit:..Is the pulley meant for an Fd alternator?.
Yes it's made for the FD alternator to be used in S4 and S5 Fc's, I'm gonna give Mazdatrix a call tomorrow to see if they know something.
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Old Apr 1, 2013 | 01:42 AM
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I noticed with those pulleys(have not seen Mazdatrix though) is that sometimes it'll fit perfect or sometimes it'll require a washer/spacer under the pulley. I've had Japan2LA and also the higgi one and both ran into the same issues where it would fit on one FD alt but not another. I'm assuming it has something to do with the FD alt housing itself but in any case I just used a washer and all is fine.
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Old Apr 1, 2013 | 08:40 AM
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Yeah, like others have said I'm not seeing the problem...just like anything else, if its making contact space it out.
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Old Apr 2, 2013 | 06:16 AM
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I don't remember which one. The oil cooler/hose sealing washer or the front cover/hose sealing washer seemed a great fit on my FD alternator as a pulley spacer.
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