4 Rib Belt where a 5 Rib should be..Can it be done safely?

[craigy]

Hey Guys,

I've been trying to find a freaking 5 rib belt which is about 770mm in length, give or take 10mm. I've tried about 6 different auto places and none seem to have one the correct size.

The thing is that i can get a belt the correct size but it is a 4 rib.

I was wondering if anybody out there has done this without dramas, or if it could be a problem?

cheers
Craigy

[TooF]

should be fine, only issue is if it cant transmit enough power without slipping or requiring excess tension..

surely bosh or gates make the suitbale belt a 5pk0770 ? you should just have to get a competent shop to order it in..

otherwise the 4rib should work ok.

[TurboRA28]

Yeah I run a 3 rib belt where normally a 4 rib belt would be used.. Workes fine never had a problem.

[CrUZida]

I put a 6 rib on incorrectly once.
Drove around for a day before I shredded one rib off completely (made a large mess, I don't recommend it).

Been 5 ribs now for 6 months.

[LeeRoy]

You could always find a belt with 6 or more ribs and cut it down to 5 ribs. If not then the 4 rib should work fine.

- LeeRoy

[Turdinator]

It will work but it won't last as long. I'd only use it as a temporary fix. I can check at work tomorrow if gates or CBC (where i work) has any 5PK770s in stock. Otherwise if you can cut a rib off a 6PK770 its a better option than a 4PK770.

[SL666]

I've been running the 4 rib on my 6 rib setup since i got the car running.. it only slipped once when the battery was completely flat and i reved it prematurely..

["Z" UTE]

The orinal setup on the halfcut with PS A/C etc ran a 6PK2270, when I removed those accessories for the conversion, I could not get hold of a 6PK1000, so I ran a 5PK1000. been on the car for 2.5 years. The correct 6PK1000 is sitting in the boot. I suppose the auto tensioner helps a lot.

Cutting a rib off a belt, is frought with danger. Any imbalance in a moving mass will be exagerated with RPM increase, and lead to rapid failure.

[spectral]

I run a 4PK on my 4AGE blacktop that just does waterpump, crank and alt... standard is 5PK.

No problems, even with the stress of track driving.

[mr plow]

there is no real problem with running the belt one rib less just has that little bit less surface area to run on but there wont be any real difference in the wearing on the belt.
but by no means cut down a belt to fit that is rediculous as you will create a weaknes in the belt.

brad

[Hen]

Craigy, I ran my SC on a 4rib for a good 6 months or so until I got around to fixing it. It never caused me problems and that belt would be way more stressed than any other engine belts.

Hen

[o_man_ra23]

You should only come across a problem if you have a faulty bearing. Otherwise running a 4 rib should be fine. Just check that all your ancilliary bearings are good (especially idler pulleys, they seem to die the quickest for some reason)

Cheers, Owen