So after removing my air pump I have been searching store after store for this magical 3L220 belt and have had two of them on the car but there is so much slack. Now according to pineapple racing's website (who just so happens to be out of stock of the yoohoo belts) it is fine if the belt is loose. Now correct me if I'm wrong but the while purpose of this mod is to provide tension for the water pump, but yet we are all betting on a loose belt to do this? Now working in engineering I can agree with the fact that over tightening the alternator belt could possibly side load the water pump pulley and do damage blah blah blah but again the alternator tension bracket only goes so high so what's the deal with this I dont want to rely on just the alternator belt but I'm not to sure about this yoohoo loop hole craze regardless how cheap and quick so if any one has some experience with this I'm more or less liking for opinions from those who have been down this road. Thanks advice is much appreciated.

 

It's funny that you brought this up. I purchased a 3L220 belt and have also experienced this. The belt doesn't squeal and I have noticed lower temperatures. I'd still like to find a slightly tighter belt.

 

since the belt contacts a very large area of the pulley is doesn't need to be too tight.

 

That post doesn't belong here. ^

Very true. It just doesn't look right, though. BUT from my experience with this belt, it works. That's what matters. I assume the OP is just skeptical.

 

The belt is almost readily available from o'reillyauto parts stores. I say almost, because they had to get it from another store... about a 4 hour wait. Not too bad.

 

11a 550 ( metric ) ///////// been using them for years

 

or.. if you cant find metric ( which fit perfectly BTW.. note 11A is NOT a missprint )

then you will be able to find this at electric /washing machine service centres --

dunlop / hoover 38528-403

 

I may look into those... I wonder if I can even get a metric belt locally. Or... the internet!

I've read a few threads that you've replied to, bumpstart. I too am a "yoohoo belt" advocate.

 

I ran one for years, works like a charm

I prefer it anytime over dual alt belts

 

Ok as long as it is reliable with all that slack in it. I will deff be looking into th metric option though.

 

bumpstart, where do you get the 11a 550? I've looked around all my autoparts store near me and couldn't find it.

 

I've had the 3L220 on my cars for years. No problems on or off the track.

 

i get metric belts from metric countries that are not stuck in the last century
.. i live in oz

the 11a 550 is used on old minis.. and old astron powered mitsu signmas
here,, some older parts stores still have them on shelves. and if not they can order it

the hoover/ dunlop belt should be avail in your country.. a common size used on popular older washing machines

 

Yeah if you got no air pump run that belt or you'll cook your engine like I did.....looks like I may not be on here for awhile gotta buy a new car now. Rex goes onto the back burner for now.

 

actually ,, just went and checked on my FC .... the belt is actually 10A 550
( the normal fan belt is 11A 800 )

sorry ,, my bad .. too many belts !

you can order them directly from dayco.. just type in dayco fan belts

 

What? I've been running a single belt setup for about 2000 miles with no issues. IN FLORIDA. Not true.

 

Ive been running a single belt for years.

 

Oh well then maybe something else was creeping up but my odometer only says 125000 so fml but I have been daily driving it for some time and my work commute is 45 there and 45 back highway so maybe it was just too much idk I guess I get to tear her apart finally for the winter time

 

125k stock motor? Are you the original owner? Sounds like the right time for it to go to me. All speculation, however...

 

due alt pulley works great, you can have more slack with two belts. slack = power, but you have to keep warming up and belt stretch in mind when to set the tension.

 

The problem with a dual alternator pulley is that specific size belts vary in length, causing one belt to be tensioned too loose compared to the other. Because of the unequal tensioning, you may still experience slipping. Even though this may not be the issue for anyone with a dual alternator pulley... There is still the price of the initial pulley purchase + two belts compared to the price of a single belt.


(Prices may vary.)

- $50 for the dual alt. pulley
- $10 one belt
- $10 for second belt
TOTAL: ~$70

- $10 3L220 belt
TOTAL: ~$10


I'd choose the Yoohoo belt any day. Especially for the fact that it works just as well, if not better than the dual.

 

what belts do you use with the dual pulley?

 

I assume people just use two of the stock size belts. (8311-18-381A)

 

Wow. That was no fun. Bought a belt 10a0545 because no one sells the 550 and I've heard other people use it. It went on after starting it with a screw driver then bumping it with the starter but it kept flipping on backwards. Got it in the end. Hopefully that helps my temps stay steady.

 

I know this is an old thread, but I plan to use a "yoohoo belt" as well. I can't find anywhere to order any of those belt sizes and don't want the Pineapple belt.
Who can I still order one from, because I like the idea of a 10A0545 instead of 0550 simply because it will hug just a pinch tighter but not enough to side load the pump in theory.