My truck has been loosing boost lately after I installed the MP Idler Bracket. So I've been cheching the boost bypass actuator, vacuum hoses etc.. I thought it couldn't be the belt because now it's wrapped around the pulley w/ help of the MP bracket.

Well it was. The Stupid Gatorback belt not only stretched considerably, my 8 rib belt is now a 7 rib belt. When compared to the gates belt, it literally looks an inch or so longer. that is a LOT of stretching for a belt.

Wydopnthrtl hooked me up with a new gates belt and I was comparing them. the Gator back is about 1/2 as thick as the Gates. The gates looks to be a 4 ply belt, and the gatorback a 2 ply.

The HYPE about the gatorback is garbage. all those little slots in there don't help. They create belt slip due to less contact area. All those little "nubs" on the gatorback on my belt are worn down considerably. Where it should be FLAT across the top of each little nub, it is concave. Yes the middle part of those nubs are worn in, giving it a bowl like look.

I'm never using a gatorback again!
BTW: stock upper w/ 6# lower making roughly 450/550 at the tires.

 

Gates I ran a Gates @ 600+ HP with no idler changes. 20PSI and no major slip problems. IN other words, no belt dust build up or changes in boost that would hint at major slipping..

-Mark

 

Could you post the Gates part # for that set-up with the 6# lower ?

That is my set-up and I would like to check into the Gates belt...

TIA !!!

 

+1

I'm sick of my gator belt! It slips and makes a crap load of belt dust. I thought for a while it was the serpintine belt, but the dust is always on the idlers. I have a 68" on a 4lber and metco idlers.

Where is the best/cheapest place to get gates belts???

 

you need an 8 rib belt:

This may be helpful


stock length-66"
stock lower/2.75" upper/stock idlers-65.5" belt
stock lower/2.8" upper/stock idlers-?
stock lower/3.5"upper/aux idler w/90mm and 100mm-69"

4lb lower/2.75" upper/stock idlers-
4lb lower/2.8" upper/aux idler/90mm and 100mm-68.5"
4lb lower/stock upper/stock idlers-67.5"(very tight)
4lb lower/3.5" upper/two 90mm idlers-68.5"
4lb lower/3.5" upper/aux idler/two 90mm idlers-69"
4lb lower/3.25" upper/stock idlers-68.5"

5lb lower/3.5" upper/stock idlers-68.5"

6lb lower/stock upper/stock idlers-68.5"/69"
6lb lower/2.7"upper/stock idlers-68"
6lb lower/stock upper/Aux Idler w/two 100mm-69.5"
6lb lower/3.25 upper/69"(tight)
6lb lower/3.5" upper/90mm idlers-69.5"

8lb lower/stock upper/Metco aux idler w/two 100mm-69"
8lb lower/2.75" upper/stock idlers-67"
8lb lower/2.80" upper/aux idler w/two 90mm-69.5"(tab removed)
8lb lower/3.25" upper/stock idlers-68"
8 lb lower/3.5"upper/aux idler w/two 90mm/tensioner tab removed-69"

10lb lower/stock upper/stock idlers-72"

 

Gatorback suck, period. Gates is a much better belt. get the Gates "green-stripe" belt if you can. Hands down, the best belt out there. i know Carquest carries them. The closest one by me is 1/2 hour away, but worth the trip.

 

I went to Napa and picked one up today. What's the difference between the standard 8 rib and the green stripe?

 

I have to say, to all of you with the Gator belts, get rid of them! Here is my experince:

I was sold on the Gator belt and bought one a few months ago after having my 4lber and idler pullies installed. The larger pulley and idlers required a longer belt. I decieded, as many on here have, to go with the Goodyear Gator belt. After the inital install it seemed like a good belt. I had major belt slippage prior to the instal and I thought the new belt helped it out. I found it was not the belt, it was my new idlers that were helping. Recently I've been noticing more and more slippage and loads of belt dust on my pulleys. I also noticed a stange ticking sound shortly after the instal while sitting at idle. I found out today that it was the Gator belt! The sound was coming from the cut ribs making contact with my crank pulley. It was driving me nuts until I figured out it was that damn belt. Also, I could pull on the Gator belt and feel slack which wasn't there after the intial install.

Well, today I went down to Napa and picked up their standard 8 rib Gates belt (68"). The sound was gone! And the Gates belt fit a hell of a lot tighter than the Gator. As for the slippage, I'll report back since I haven't had much time to check it out yet, but I'm sure it will be gone.

As others have said, the Gator belts flat out suck. They slip like hell, make noise that will drive you crazy, strech out in time, make loads of dust, and become brittle. I'll never buy one again. Stick with a standard (OEM) or Gates 8 rib belt. The solid ribs DO make more contact and are flat out better.

 

I NEVER had a problem with the Gatorbacks. I had a 6# lower and 2# upper on my '01 Lightning, used no additional idlers other than stock and never had a dusting or slipping issue. On my '03 Cobra I ran a 2.93upper and a 4# lower, once again using only the stock idlers with no dust or slippage. And I did run both vehicles very hard, with most miles on both being 1320' at a time. I am not here to advertise GB's, I can only state the facts as per the ones I have used...Maybe aftermarket idlers create an issue with them ?

 

Possible. Just sharing my experince with it.

 

I've had a Gatorback on my truck for almost 5 years now. 4# lower, and no dust, noise or any other problem.
FWIW...

 

Gatorbacks suck for a charger belt.not as much contact area on the s/c pulley.They dont make noise when they slip.Id rather hear the noise,and adjust properly..

 

I have a Gatorback belt on my truck and have a 2# upper and a 4#lower and have had it on for about 4 years and have had no problems!!! Belt dust and premature wear could be alignment problems!!! Jim

 

How can you misalign a belt?

 

Hes is refering to pulley misalignment...