1982 280 turbo diesel fan belts, HELP!

[Treetrimmer]

Hi, new member and new owner of above RV. I need to replace the fan belts and after searching the archives here, I purchased 2 Bando BX45 belts, which are 17mm wide and 48” or 1220mm outside length.

There is no way on earth that these are the correct size and no way they are going on without really damaging the belts. I have the alternator adjuster bolt removed at this point and it is tilted towards the engine until it’s hitting the engine block and the belt is easily 2” short of going on. And this is at the loosest adjustment possible of alternator.

To answer some possible questions, I am a mechanic and have installed hundreds of belts of all kinds in cars/trucks/lawnmowers/you name it. This belt is seriously too small.

Anyone have actual experience installing belts on an Isuzu turbo diesel coach? I’m about to order some slightly larger ones online but wonder if anyone knows the optimal size. Thanks in advance!

[davejay]

Hey
Take the present belts off. There should be numbers on the belt. It ll be like 55303 that means the belt is 55.3 inches on the scale. You gotta watch how wide and how deep the v is on older belts. Serpentine belts are a different cat altogether. Any auto parts store should have what you need. Taking the old bekts in with you is a big help. Get two sets. Good luck

[mayco]

They are metric belts. I order mine through V- Belt Supply. The number is SPB 1250. They fit very nice. 17mm x 13mm

[Treetrimmer]

Originally Posted by davejay

Hey
Take the present belts off. There should be numbers on the belt. It ll be like 55303 that means the belt is 55.3 inches on the scale. You gotta watch how wide and how deep the v is on older belts. Serpentine belts are a different cat altogether. Any auto parts store should have what you need. Taking the old bekts in with you is a big help. Get two sets. Good luck

If only I could! I recently purchased the RV and it broke and shredded the belt on its maiden voyage w me at freeway speed. The piece I retrieved did not have any markings visible. I know that it’s supposedly to have two matched belts but it had one and probably the wrong size.

Originally Posted by mayco

They are metric belts. I order mine through V- Belt Supply. The number is SPB 1250. They fit very nice. 17mm x 13mm

Thank you. I’ve ordered some belts that are slightly longer but still 17mm wide, I believe that they are about 1250mm. If they are not correct, I will order the part number you have supplied.

[asellers]

I had a recent similar experience with my newly acquired 81 280 diesel and her belts. PO put on new 'equivalent' belts which one shredded and the other turned inside out on a hot day near Burnt Prairie - aptly named. Glad the PO provided the old take offs to at least get me the rest of the way home with some emergency roadside assistance. Ordered the SPB 1250 and hope to put them on soon.
Good luck.

[Smartstream]

The belts I use are Mitsuboshi 113671-1420. I'm not sure of the exact conversion size but they come from Hamilton Engine and have the Isuzu logo so that may be an Isuzu number. This is an old thread showing well worn belts vs. new belts. https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...ts-172807.html

[Treetrimmer]

Thanks for all the replies! I found some belts in a Gates book that seemed like they would work and ordered them. They were supposed to be 17mm x 1265mm, (approx. 50.25"), they arrived and were only 15mm wide. I was afraid that they might sink down into the pulleys but when I test fitted them, they seem ideal.

They went on with no problem and I was able to tighten them to specification w plenty of travel remaining on the adjuster, in case I need to re-tighten them after an initial run-in. I took photos to share w you guys, they are Gates TR22495 part#, for anyone in the future searching who finds this thread:

[Treetrimmer]

I am going to start another thread for all of the general questions I have about this *new to me* rig. Thanks again!

[tevake]

Greetings and welcome to Treetrimer, glad to have you join us here in the asylum.
If you are possibly named Denis, I'd like to especially welcome you aboard, bro,

Cheers Richard