One pulley groove width, yet multiple v-belt widths?

[Mark E.]

My understanding is standard groove pulleys are all the same width. Maybe others can comment about this.

If this is the case, why are different width belts specified? For example, all pulleys on my '70 LS5 are standard groove and appear the same width, yet two belt widths are specified (15/32" for WP and AC; 7/16" for alt and PS).

So this means the top of 7/16" belts sit in the pulley lower than 15/32" belts, which looks a bit funny. Is this correct?

I asked this in an existing thread, but decided to open a separate one for this.

Thanks folks.

[Joe L.]

Re: One pulley groove width, yet multiple v-belt widths?

My understanding is standard groove pulleys are all the same width. Maybe others can comment about this.

If this is the case, why are different width belts specified? For example, all pulleys on my '70 LS5 are standard groove and appear the same width, yet two belt widths are specified (15/32" for WP and AC; 7/16" for alt and PS).

So this means the top of 7/16" belts sit in the pulley lower than 15/32" belts, which looks a bit funny. Is this correct?

I asked this in an existing thread, but decided to open a separate one for this.

Thanks folks.

Mark-----

Different width belts can be used in the same pulleys. For example, most pre-1973 belts were 3/8". In the mid 70's GM replaced most of these belts with 7/16" belts for SERVICE. In addition, the 7/16" belts began to be used for PRODUCTION about 1973 but many of the pulleys were the same ones used from the 60's.

[Mark E.]

Re: One pulley groove width, yet multiple v-belt widths?

Thanks Joe.

To clarify, are we saying most (if not all) standard pulleys from the '60s and '70s are the same width, even through belts of varying widths were specified for use with them (for example, 3/8", 7/16", 15/32")?

[Joe L.]

Re: One pulley groove width, yet multiple v-belt widths?

Thanks Joe.

To clarify, are we saying most (if not all) standard pulleys from the '60s and '70s are the same width, even through belts of varying widths were specified for use with them (for example, 3/8", 7/16", 15/32")?

Mark------


I don't know that all of the standard groove pulleys had belt grooves of the exact same width; I really have not precisely measured them. However, the various standard groove pulleys were used with the various width belts that you mentioned.