Pully Question- March??

[hockey44]

Not knowing much about pulleys- can I seek your good collective advice.

I have 351C 4V which will shortly get Blue Thunder intake manifold, Blue Thunder valve covers, Canton racing pan, new oil pump (Melling); alu. water pump, Holley DP etc. I had not initially considered swaping the 'rather boring looking' pulleys and alternator.

I was reading about March Serpintine Conversion (this is a 6 rib belt vs. my "standard "V" belt). Can anyone shed some light on what is best to convert to for pulleys/ belt and alternator. This car is intended as a 'keeper' (at least for now).

I am bit by bit trying to add excellent stuff to the engine and sure think the serpentine set-up looks sweet, but maybe not a good idea for 351C. Anyone had good or bad experience. Those CNC 6061 Alu. pulley's look and I assume work great as well. I was reading that some of the Boss Racing engines had special very deep groved pulley's to prevent belts from jumping off at high revs during racing? Do the Nascar boys use V belts or serpintine approach? Maybe it is purely an aesthetic thing and nothing to do with performance.

thanks,
Ed

[Tony Radford]

Ed, I can't speak to the serpintine issue, but I'm currently working with March on an alternator mounting bracket set up for my new stroker that 's in the works. I did receive a bracket set up that wouldn't work with my Unique car due to a frame obstruction, but I must say that the looks and workmanship of the set I received are very nice. I spoke to Randy at March this morning and explained my problem. He's setting me up with a new assembly that should work. I will be sending my wrong kit back today. I agree with you, their set ups are quite impressive from an aesthetics point of view. I figured, why go to the work and expense of all the polishing work (heads, intake, water pump, timing cover, valve covers etc.) and not go the full course.

[Jack21]

If the pulleys on your "C" all fit, work, and keep the motor cool; leave them alone for now until you get the car on the street.

Marchs' look great aesthetically, and work well, but if what you have works, reserve the $$$ for something you need. Time to pretty it up later.

[Andy FIA]

Ed - From what I can gather, modern serpentine belts are stronger and more flexible than V-belts on a multi-pulley system, less power is absorbed in the belt and the pulley friction area is larger than that on an equivalent V-pulley, so there is less chance of slippage.
In my opinion the v-built is more than adequate on a Cobra that will be driven relatively few miles, and is the serpentine set-up worth the extra dollar???

Andy