Another "whipple threw the belt" member
06-13-2011, 02:00 AM
#1
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 2,073
Another "whipple threw the belt" member
Yep, it happened to me now. And in the middle of nowhere of course, and I hadn't yet got a spare belt for 'just in case'.
So, the immediate question is what tools would be needed to do a roadside replacement?
Some thoughts are that it would be good to have a belt routing diagram in the car (the owners manual has one, but the Whipple routing is just a smidge different). An electric water pump would have allowed me to maybe make it to the next town before the battery died (anyone know how far you would be able to go without the alternator?). An 8 rib setup and/or better tensioner could have probably prevented this, right?
So, the immediate question is what tools would be needed to do a roadside replacement?
Some thoughts are that it would be good to have a belt routing diagram in the car (the owners manual has one, but the Whipple routing is just a smidge different). An electric water pump would have allowed me to maybe make it to the next town before the battery died (anyone know how far you would be able to go without the alternator?). An 8 rib setup and/or better tensioner could have probably prevented this, right?
06-13-2011, 02:19 AM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Maryland
Posts: 285
I am pretty sure as long as you have the stock belt tensioner (my KB does, not sure about the Whipple) all you'd need for a roadside replacement is the belt (of course) and IIRC a 3/8" drive socket wrench or breaker bar, which would be used to pull the tensioner so you can fit the belt in its place. Then slowly let the tensioner go and all should be good!
Not sure what would have prevented this, but if your belt isn't destroyed you should be able to put it back on provided you have the wrench needed
Not sure what would have prevented this, but if your belt isn't destroyed you should be able to put it back on provided you have the wrench needed
06-13-2011, 04:37 AM
#3
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 743
Hey Dan....Just do yourself a huge favour and consider getting a Steeda-Whipple 10 Rib Belt System'. (See promo on You Tube) It's a little pricey, but well worth it. I've been running this system for almost 3 years now, and haven't thrown or shreaded one belt.
06-13-2011, 10:00 AM
#5
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 2,073
I am pretty sure as long as you have the stock belt tensioner (my KB does, not sure about the Whipple) all you'd need for a roadside replacement is the belt (of course) and IIRC a 3/8" drive socket wrench or breaker bar, which would be used to pull the tensioner so you can fit the belt in its place. Then slowly let the tensioner go and all should be good!
Not sure what would have prevented this, but if your belt isn't destroyed you should be able to put it back on provided you have the wrench needed
Not sure what would have prevented this, but if your belt isn't destroyed you should be able to put it back on provided you have the wrench needed
I'm thinking that or something like it is in the near term future.
06-13-2011, 09:38 PM
#7
5th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,388
Local friend who just installed a whipple is having the same issue. Shredded one belt, and part of another. Pulley alignment is proper, so seems to be due to the tensioner as well.
I'm running an aftermarket tensioner with my KB setup and have had no belt issues whatsoever; but the car's an automatic as well, which is easier on belts.
I'm running an aftermarket tensioner with my KB setup and have had no belt issues whatsoever; but the car's an automatic as well, which is easier on belts.
06-14-2011, 02:51 PM
#9
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 6,130
pulley alignment would be the 1st thing to check.
the belts just dont last that long with FI.
you should check periodically for wear.
how long did this belt last?
i have an 8 rib kit and thumprrr tensioner. i've had the same belt for over 3 years.
the belts just dont last that long with FI.
you should check periodically for wear.
how long did this belt last?
i have an 8 rib kit and thumprrr tensioner. i've had the same belt for over 3 years.
06-14-2011, 03:08 PM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Naperville, Illinois
Posts: 279
I chewed one belt but it also took out my water pump, so I don't know what went first, but I noticed that my right side idler pulley was really wobbly (aka out of alignment!!) so I did some investigating and noticed that they are not centered, th mount point is off to one side. So I flipped it and it reduced the wobble to almost none. I have heard of other having the wobbly idler pulley too. Maybe this is part of the issue?