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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
You need to do some reading if you are perplexed. The alternator pulley is a overdrive (smaller) pulley so as to keep you output at spec. The third pulley is the waterpump pulley. The pulleys themselves are lighter being aluminum.
What's the point of doing all three pulleys? Just changing the crank pulley will slow everything down. Unless you feel the need to slow the alternator down further, or just don't want to buy a new belt, I'm perplexed why the desire to spend all that money and time to swap the extra pulleys.
Leverage. As a drag pulley, using a larger diameter pulley on the alternator increases me mechanical advantage of the system.
Same goes for decreasing the diameter of the crank (power) pulley.
It's like changing gears on a bike. When you use the smallest front gear and the largest rear wheel gear, it takes less forse to move the system. It also slows the speed of the chain. This will not increase any HP. It only salvages it from parasitic drag.
Fear not for overheating or low voltages. I made a 3,000 mile drive from MN thru the Tail and home in no less than 92 degree weather with the AC on 100%. Never a problem.
You need to do some reading if you are perplexed. The alternator pulley is a overdrive (smaller) pulley so as to keep you output at spec. The third pulley is the waterpump pulley. The pulleys themselves are lighter being aluminum.
Nope. It's larger to reduce drag. Alternators put out more than enough charging power at idle to charge a system. Very little time is spent at idle, so a 2 foot diameter pulley would still be enough to charge the system on the highway.
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Originally Posted by williammackean
Leverage. As a drag pulley, using a larger diameter pulley on the alternator increases me mechanical advantage of the system.
Same goes for decreasing the diameter of the crank (power) pulley.
It's like changing gears on a bike. When you use the smallest front gear and the largest rear wheel gear, it takes less forse to move the system. It also slows the speed of the chain. This will not increase any HP. It only salvages it from parasitic drag.
Fear not for overheating or low voltages. I made a 3,000 mile drive from MN thru the Tail and home in no less than 92 degree weather with the AC on 100%. Never a problem.
C'mon William, do you really think I'm that stupid? I'm an engineer (24 years at GM.) I think I can understand something as simple as a fan belt and some pulleys. I was trying to figure what BADDUCK was trying to accomplish. And as you noticed, he's a bit confused on the subject. Sheesh.
Nope. It's larger to reduce drag. Alternators put out more than enough charging power at idle to charge a system. Very little time is spent at idle, so a 2 foot diameter pulley would still be enough to charge the system on the highway.
Actually you're wrong, the aftermarket alternator pulley is smaller to keep the speed of the alternator higher with the smaller crank pulley.
Originally Posted by Tom Piper
I can't think of a single reason why I care what you think.
Tom Piper
You took the time to respond to me, that shows somewhere deep down inside you do care, I'm honored.
The March 3 pc. pulley sets come in two varieties, or at least they used to. Summit shows two versions for 84-87, but not for the later years IIRC
One with a smaller alt pulley called power and amp series recommended for auto trans cars, and one with a larger alt pulley called performance series or something like that.
On my 88, I have the old version that came with the larger alt pulley, and larger water pump pulley, which needs at least 800-900 rpm for decent charging.
The larger alt pulley version can also make use of a stock belt, which makes it attractive saving the cost of a new belt.
I ended up running a shorter belt anyway to put the tensioner mid-range.
I have the March 3 pully power and amp series on my 88. I never had a problem. The AC is cold and the battery stays charged. I had to use a shorter serpentine belt.