I just realized that my water pulley has been slipping like crazy, turning the back of my belt into a fine grey powder.

I will probably need to install an idler pulley kit to solve this, assuming I have clearance for one.

But I figure I should go ahead and get some underdriven pulleys while I am at it, since my stock pulleys are looking a little worse for wear (they're pretty rusty and they wobble a bit).

Who makes a good set? I have a big underdriven alternator pulley, and the PO listed an underdriven water pump pulley as a mod, but I am pretty sure it's actually stock.

Is it better to just make the eccentric shaft pulleys smaller, or the accessory pulleys bigger? I don't really want to underdrive my power steering.

I have no air pump and no AC.

 

I went with the Banzai set and it looks good quality (I haven't started the car yet - lot of other changes afoot).

I also installed the Pineapple Racing idler since I have removed the air pump now.

If you go that route let me know and i will look up the belt lengths for those sets.

The air conditioning/power steering pump side idler seemed OK but given some people mentioned issues with that one i pulled it and it makes a bit of noise so replaced it with a new stock one from Atkins. The new one spins noticeably smoother. I may press the bearing out and replace it with a Timken one (I really like that brand - used a bunch of theirs when i rebuilt the front end of the Land-Rover). In which case I could have used my old one. Oh well. If you need the Timken part number, let me know too.

 

Let me know how the Banzai set performs.

 

I have been running the Banzai pulley for a long time, no issue. I also have a Garfinkle Motor Works idler pulley if you are interested.

 

For aftermarket pulleys we default to banzai. Theres no reason to use anything else unless you're looking to burn money. The big turbo pineapple idler is also our default. The ps pulley issue people talk about we have yet to encounter and we've installed quite a few of them. Maybe we've just been lucky. Banzai lists the belt dimensions on their website for whatever configuration you have and will also sell them. Pineapple does the same when buying their idler.

As far s performance goes, we have noticed no difference using them vs stock. We get them primarily for dress up. If there is supposed to be a change in something from using them then we have yet to see it. They do look good though 😎

 

there has been some recent discussion about water pump cavitation and such. Racing Beat says with the stock 1.22 belt ratio (water pump to E shaft), cavitation happens at 7000rpm.
so if you're say a track car, and are up near that RPM a lot, it would be a good idea to slow the water pump down/move the cavitation speed up.

 

That’s the idea!

 

Yeah, there’s no way the original design would clear my swirl pot. Gonna need to check on shipping…

 

Anybody know what the diameter of the stock water pump pulley is? Mine measures 85-90 mm at the largest…

 

I am just gonna but some used Greddy pulleys, since they’ve got an anti-slip design and cost less than the shipping on the Banzai pulleys. My friend attests that they don’t slip.

 

The Greddy pulley was always just a pretty bandaid for removing the air pump. It increases belt contact just to the bare minimum and many end up over-tightening the belt to avoid slipping, and shortening the life-span if the water pump. Get an air pump-delete pulley. Pineapple Racing, FFE, Banzai or the Garfinkle that was mentioned earlier. And don’t even think about a dress-up under drive pulley set without one.

 

I will pick up one the next time I am in the states.
My car only does a couple hundred miles a year, if even that, so I am not too worried. The clearance between my turbo and be FFE unit will be quite close…

 

You know at a glance of your recent posts asking questions for a car intended for track duty, you’re looking to cut costs on oil, coolant level sensors, roll-bars/cages, shocks and now, I fear, pulleys that are critical to cooling.
If you’re just going to buy a used Greddy pulley based on your friend’s word why did you even make this thread?

 

Forums are fun, I guess?
I am the first to admit I am a cheapskate, but it’s not like I’m ignoring the advice I’m getting here. That said, my current setup apparently wasn’t a big issue for the previous owner, and I’m only noticing an issue now after like eight years of tracking the car…

 

you could do some math and figure out what diameter pulley you need, someone has probably made it

 

I ordered some used Greddy pulleys. They’re way bigger than stock.

The belt survived another track day, though I brought a spare just in case. Will replace it when the pulleys come.

 

do you have pics? get a load of this. what is happening? belt is white. pulley is polished. Is this slippage? or are my bearings going in my water pump. There are no noises. And yes i have the pineapple racing idle pulley

 

There is a weep hole at the bottom of the water pump, if the pump dies the weep hole will leak water and there ya go. I have seen them totally lock up before as well but really they are pretty hardy.

No noise - no leaking - water pump is OK.

That pulley being polished from the belt riding over it is fine. Probably want to make sure your belt tension isn't too high, should be able to do a half twist on the belt on the longest run. Belt is probably just due to be replaced.

Dale

 

The pulley sold by Greddy is oversized (meaning it spins slower) and has a grooved texture to prevent the belt from slipping when you don't have an airpump (or idle pulley) to hold the belt against the pulley.

Since you have the idle pulley, you are probably fine. Just make sure the belt isn't getting eaten up like mine.

I haven't had any issues since going to the Greddy pulley.

 

@Valkyrie did you get an idle pulley? If so what belt size did you get

 

No. It's been fine without an idler pulley.
I don't remember the exact size of the belt, but it took a few tries to get it just right.
One size in either direction makes a huge difference.