Bad Pulley

[Cisco1]

Hi Guys,<br /><br />The Pully on my alternator and to the motor are a bit rusted. It has caused my Alternator Belt to snap off.. Mechanic says I need to replace and I understand that I do but my question is... Can I sand these to get them smooth again to get me through the summer or am I risking anything by doing this? If so what grit should I use?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Cisco

 

[tommays]

Re: Bad Pulley

how old is the motor and what type<br /><br />i would think that unless the pulleys are wiped out that the belt just went to long with out being changed they will allways snap at some point if they are used long enough<br /><br />tommays

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bad Pulley

Cisco, I had the same issue. I used a fine grinding stone to dress up the waterpump and main pulleys. The Alternator had been changed, so its pulley was smooth. Eventually the waterpump pulley rusted through and I needed to replace it with the new 7" diameter pulley($75), from Mercruiser.

 

[Cisco1]

Re: Bad Pulley

Sorry about the missing info guys... <br />1992 OMC Cobra 5.0<br />The pulleys are rusted the mechanic put on a Green (don't know what kind) belt last time becuase he said it wasn't for the alternator but was stronger and had hoped it would last. Obviously it didn't.<br /><br />The pulleys didn't look in that bad a shape just some rust on the inside, so I hoped I could just sand. Maybe I should look into seeing how much the pulleys' would be and just replace...

 

[Cisco1]

Re: Bad Pulley

So once the rust starts they have to go? I noticed it on all the pulleys now that i haven't driven it in a few weeks. If I were to sand should I use a heat resistant paint... Or am I just making too much trouble for myself?<br /><br />Thanks Guys

 

[Elk Chaser]

Re: Bad Pulley

You can use some fine emery cloth to get rid of the rust and smooth out the groove. <br /><br />You will need to figure out how to get the pulley spinning at a regular speed to do this properly. <br /><br />If you try it by hand without the pulley spinning you run the risk of making irregularities in the groove which will eventually eat the belt.<br /><br />I would use engine paint to protect the metal but keep in mind the belt will wear the paint off inside the groove.

 

[Don S]

Re: Bad Pulley

Rusty pulleys eat belts fast, so either cleaning or replacing will stop the belts from going bad so fast. The trick is, they have to be painted with a good heavyduty paint that has dried in order to keep them that way.<br />I clean them with a 4" disc sander with a fine grit disc. I stick a bolt in a vise and put the pulley on it so it will spin with the disc sander. (it prevents flat spots) then just sand till smooth. Then primer and paint with several coats of paint with something like Rustolem and allow to dry for a week. If it isn't allowed to dry enough, the paint will go away in a hurry.<br />Each fall after the engine is winterized, remove the belts and clean or touch up the paint as necessary and you will be ready for next year after you put the belts on.

 

[sealyons]

Re: Bad Pulley

You could also use a bench grinder. Replace one of the wheels with the pulley and use fine grit paper. Good luck