Gilmer belt drive?

Markus · Post by **Markus** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 1:01 am

Has anyone used a Gilmer or toothed belt to drive their alternator?
I have a 4.6 Rover with "intermediate" serpentine front cover and disturber.
As I'm using an electric water pump I don't need a drive to the original pump and the only ancillary I have is the alternator mounted high on the RHS.
Preferably I'd like to mount the alternator lower but that's just a thought.
Seems wasteful to use the long serpentine belt when it would seem to be more direct to run from the crank to the alt.
Any ideas out there?

unstable load · Post by **unstable load** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:00 am

The same belt you are using right now is available in any length, so why not move your alternator where you want it and set up the idler so it will take a shorter belt?
That way, you don't have all the hassle of buying pulleys and aligning the whole circus again.

Markus · Post by **Markus** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 11:43 pm

Thanks John but my water pump pulley is the idler and I'd like to get away from that if possible.
I might try searching for alternative crank pulley arrangements and alternator mountings on earlier Rovers.
Cheers!

unstable load · Post by **unstable load** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:00 am

Why not get an idler off another model engine and make the set-up what you want it to be?
Something like this...
http://www.carid.com/gates/timing-belt- ... ulley.html
or this...
http://www.carid.com/gates/accessory-be ... e-kit.html
shouldn't be too difficult to squeeze in on the engine.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 1:56 pm

Cant see any reason you'd want the complication and expense of moving to a gilmer.

Just re-work the serpentine belt to suit your alternator and crank pulley. Cant be that difficult.