Replace or Paint Pulleys????

[SteveRay]

I have to appologize to Don S as he suggested in a previous post that I may have rusty pullies and I was quick to say that I didn't. <br />Guess what......I do have rust on a couple. My question is<br />1. Should I paint them or replace them?<br />2. Where to find them at a decent price and how difficult are they to change? They do not seem to tough.<br />Thanks guys

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replace or Paint Pulleys????

1) It Doesn't Really Matter,........ New or Painted,... Next Spring they'll Look Just Like they Do Now................<br /><br />2) I've never bought a New Pulley,...........<br />Other than possibly the Waterpump Pulley,.. None are Easy to Change,... Most are Pressed On,..including the Crankshaft, P/Steering,+ possibly the Alt. pulley.........<br /><br /><br />I Guess I'd just Clean them up,+ Paint them..........<br /><br />Mine are a little Rusty, Usually only for the 1st run or 2 of the season,... Then they're Polished Steel............

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Replace or Paint Pulleys????

Bondo's right. If you can find some Scotch Brite pads they should work well in removing the bulk on the rust. That said, as far as painting the pullies, the set on my 96 5.7 Merc. look like new after 9 seasons on the lake….don’t know what type of paint they use but it sure is tuff. Ya might want to try some factory paint if ya can get it.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Replace or Paint Pulleys????

Boating in salt water they tend to rust but ive never replaced them. At the start of the season I use sandpaper and a triangle file get them smooth. Ive not painted them though. Once your running every week they stay reasonably rust free.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Replace or Paint Pulleys????

I've always cleaned them up with some sand paper then painted with Mercs. phantom black spray paint.

 

[Mechlawrence]

Re: Replace or Paint Pulleys????

My 84 305 has v belt pulleys that were pitted up and actually chewing the belt up. There would be a coating of black dust on the entire front engine compartment area after a few weekend runs. The alternator and power steering would start to squeek when I would hit the throttle. Took all the pulleys off and wire wheeled the rust out of the grooves as best as I could then painted the faces and grooves with black appliance paint for several coats. The appliance paint helps to "fill" the pits in and smooth up the surface that the belt rides on. Reinstalled and they worked perfect for 2 seasons with only on belt adjustment each season instead of readjusting every 3rd or 4th weekend and having to replace the belts 3 times in a season. I put another few coats on this past winter when I changed engines adn you can hardly tell there were ever any pits there.<br /><br />Lawrence