Should I be concerned?

[rcb280z]

I just installed a new Powerforce harmonic balancer because I cracked my OE one. So after putting the car back together and installed the fan belt I noticed the belt doesn't seat completely in the balancer belt groove The belt is too wide. It seats "half way" in the groove. Should I be concerned? And if I replace the belt with a skinnier one will there be a problem with the fan and alternator pulley's? 

 

[munters]

Turn on the engine its not ideal but you hear it, if the pulley spins. Turn on all power consuming devices and if you dont hear a whistle noise its ok. I drive my car with the same thing on the alternator side and it works fine since 3years.

[S30Driver]

You could source a new alternator pulley with a similar diameter to the original one to match the damper & then find a matching belt.

I would not be comfortable with the current belt issue. 

Edited March 14, 2018 by S30Driver
meant pulley not alternator

[gundee]

My belt sits high similar to that. I may have used a 240Z crank pulley when I installed the L28 engine.

I thought the pulleys were the same at the time but the L28 pulley must be wider. I have been driving it this way for a few years now.

I upgraded to the ZX alternator so the belt fits flush there. I did buy one of those Powerforce single groove

but never got around to installing it yet. I guess I will have the same issue if I use the Powerforce pulley.

[rcb280z]

Yes Lumens, you will. So the stock width of the belt is 1/2 in. I bought a 3/8 in x 34-3/4 in long belt. IIRC the length is shorter by 1.5 inches also. It fits perfect. Took it on a test drive and all is good. 

[7tooZ]

I had this problem when I installed an after market balancer. The belt would work for a while and the get hot and then slip. Tried a bunch of different belts and could never cure the problem. Found a single groove nissan balancer and installed it. Good luck.

[rcb280z]

26 minutes ago, 7tooZ said:

I had this problem when I installed an after market balancer. The belt would work for a while and the get hot and then slip. Tried a bunch of different belts and could never cure the problem. Found a single groove nissan balancer and installed it. Good luck.

I know a couple other guys running these, one for a few years, and they recommended this balancer to me. Seems a little smoother than my stock one. Hmmm.... So I don't foresee any problems. If I do I'll address it then.

[gundee]

Now I remember. Powerforce may have fixed this by now. When those first came out they fit so tight no one could install them. Me included.

I returned it and got one from another supplier. Same thing, No way in hell was that going onto the crank nose. I took it and my stock pulley

to the machinist to mic the ID of each. The Powerforce was .001 smaller ID. He said he did not have a keyway hone to enlarge.

So it went back into the box on the shelf. When I turn in my scrap metal next I just may toss that Powerforce in for added weight.

[dutchzcarguy]

And again.. @Mike  in 2 !!  posts big adverts covering the tekst.. thanks google..

[rcb280z]

There was an issue with fit at one point and unfortunately you got one of them. It has been addressed and corrected since then. I would send it back to the manufacturer for a replacement. The fit on mine was good. Just had to go with a smaller belt like mentioned above. I am happy with the end result.

[Mike]

9 hours ago, dutchzcarguy said:

And again.. @Mike  in 2 !!  posts big adverts covering the tekst.. thanks google..

I don't want to take away from this thread.  I'll send you a PM.

[240260280]

14 hours ago, Lumens said:

Now I remember. Powerforce may have fixed this by now. When those first came out they fit so tight no one could install them. Me included.

I returned it and got one from another supplier. Same thing, No way in hell was that going onto the crank nose. I took it and my stock pulley

to the machinist to mic the ID of each. The Powerforce was .001 smaller ID. He said he did not have a keyway hone to enlarge.

So it went back into the box on the shelf. When I turn in my scrap metal next I just may toss that Powerforce in for added weight.

I have two of these paperweights too.  I just dropped them off with a crank at the engine shop to fix the non-fit issue.  I'll let you know how it goes.

 

btw the document that comes with these "performance " dampers specs 6500 rpm as the max.