Motorheads Performance
Guy Algar offers the following advice when it comes to replacing pulleys in your engine. Unfortunately, he way too frequently sees engines come in with the wrong pulleys on them, and yesterday was no exception when working on a 1969 Pontiac Firebird that's in his classic car repair shop. He explains, "Misaligned pulleys cause extra wear not only to the belt, but the pulley itself. It also causes extra wear on the bearings of each of the accessories like the water pump, alternator, power steering, and air conditioning. Misalignment is usually caused by using the incorrect pulleys for that year and model car. Just a single incorrect pulley can wreak havoc on your engine, sometimes resulting in needing to replace costly accessories in addition to the pulley!"
As a mechanical engineer whose training has taught him to realize the importance of these details, it is troubling to see just how often engines are thrown together for a quick sale or cheap fix. These parts have been carefully engineered to very specific sizes and shapes so that the entire unit works together flawlessly. It is an exact science, which is why engineers are employed to design them.
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| Photo Credit: ConceptOne (c1pulleys.com) Makers of High-Performance Pulley Systems |
Guy warns that substituting for one that is "close to it" is not good enough. "If you're swapping out an identical engine, use all the pulleys off the original engine onto the swapped engine, or use all the pulleys off of the swapped engine. Do not mix and match them. If you're just replacing a pulley, make sure you get the correct pulley for your particular make, model and year," Guy explains. "Remember, too, that if your new swap engine is different than your original engine, use only pulleys designed for your new swap engine and don't follow the make, model and year rule-of-thumb," he adds. What looks to be minor differences can make a huge difference in its performance. You should also periodically check to make sure your pulleys are not worn, spinning unevenly, or making any noise, as this can mean damage is being done to your engine or its components.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.
