Cog 2'' belt drive pulleys

[ford4ever]

What is your opinion on a Cog 2'' belt drive pulleys system, for a Ford302 motor
with a E303 cam and stock ported and pollished steel heads.

I think they really look cool, but don't know if they are a lot of trouble. You don't
see them around very often!. What's oyur take on it?

Thanks, Mark

 

[Golly]

Just make sure your bracketry is nice and sturdy and everything is in alignment, and they're fine. My mate carries a spare belt with him ( under the seat) as it's not the sort of thing you can pick up everywhere. Do the belt up tight and it sounds like a little blower!

 

[Screaming Metal]

Yep, they'll sound like a blower belt whining, because that is what it is. The Harleys and V-Twins that run a open primary with a belt have that sound too.
BUT, that wide belt puts ALOT of strain on your bearings of the Accessories that you drive. Hey, but it looks cool. But if thats what you want, go for it.
The wider the belt, the more surface area you have pulling a load.
A 8-71 blower can run the big belt, it takes that much power to turn it over at high rpms and high boost. A 6-71 usually you run the 3" when its racing, street you can get by with 2. On a 4-71, a 2 is all you need. The reason why I'm bring this up is because that 2" belt, when it gets to slapping, on a blower motor will snap the end off a crankshaft. No, your not turning a blower, but if it gets to slapping, it could happen to your car, too.
Also, heres a little food for thought, you may never have any problem with it, but if you ever throw a belt, you can kiss your fan along with the radiator goodbye! Just be sure to run a beltguard. A broken belt is just as bad as having one jump off and getting all tangled up in things.....Just my 2 cents from a person thats dealt with wide Gilmer belts or 'cog belts' everyday for 30+ years. I love 'em but they can tear up some shit when their wild side wakes up....Nature of the beast.

 

[Mike]

BUT, that wide belt puts ALOT of strain on your bearings of the Accessories that you drive. Hey, but it looks cool. But if thats what you want, go for it.
The wider the belt, the more surface area you have pulling a load.

+1

An HTD series belt can create havoc when it breaks, so I would also second the idea of running a belt guard. When it goes, it will take out everything in its path. It will happen. It's not pretty.

I would disagree with cinching it up tightly. Let the teeth on the belt do the work they were designed to do. A good rule of thumb is ~.200" deflection for a 10" span. The design of the pulley groove facing will increase belt tension during operation. A grooved or drilled pulley will allow for the release of trapped air, which can slightly increase belt life, also reducing belt sound.

Keep a weather eye on the pulley anodizing, for unusual wear patterns. If you see the anodizing starting to wear, it can be your first indication of belt stretch, which is changing the belt pitch. Depending on belt manufacturers (I recommend using Gates), this can happen as early as the first 100 hours of belt service. If a belt is still looking good at 200 hours, be absolutely dispassionate as you cut the belt off with a razor blade. Take the time to bump the motor over, to check for missing belt cogs. If you see a missing cog, cut the belt off and replace it. And the reason I am suggesting you cut these belts is to keep you from fooling yourself into believing the belts might be good as spares.

Be sure to keep at least one spare in the car with you. And be wary of a supplier trying to sell you a new belt that shows evidence of being crimped during storage. You don't want any crimped belts, period.

This is another one of those places where you can really grab the eye with that race-engineered "look". But remember, race cars get very regular and very careful maintenance, both at the track and between races.

 

[benT]

Here's where I differ from some others... I think these big belt drive kits look silly. This goes for noisy gear drives too. If you want the blower whine and look, simple...just get a blower. To me, these kits will just be a pain in the rear to deal with and won't get you any points from real car guys... I'd just stick to the traditional v belt and stick the $into something else. Anyway, just my opinion, which my girl says isn't worth much!