Belt Selection for Comet

[BobW]

The Tankette project continues to roll along. Well, it is not actually rolling yet. I'm working out the final geometry of the drivetrain and am ready to pick a belt for my primary-secondary clutch, as seen in the picture below. I heard from theBuggyMan that I can use a 1-1/4" wide belt up from the normal 1-3/16" wide one. What is a good way to choose the correct belt length, brand, material, and so forth.

tks_18Jan_rear.jpg

[jpswift1]

Mike is working on the same thing trying to get a proper belt length for his Argo 8x8 T-20 conversion. This link might help you out with your project:

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/argo-...ger-t20-6.html

[Mike]

The first time I needed a custom length belt, I measured and calculated the belt that I needed based on the diameter of the clutches and the distance between them. Then I searched endlessly through the belts listed on this site and other places online to find one that was close to what I needed. It was a bit of a pain.

This time, in the thread that jpswift1 linked to, I just called Roy at Quality Drive and gave him the distance between the center of the two clutches and he picked out the proper belt for me based on the distance and the type of clutches. I would recommend this option as it is much easier.

[Dan67]

The first time I needed a custom length belt, I measured and calculated the belt that I needed based on the diameter of the clutches and the distance between them. Then I searched endlessly through the belts listed on this site and other places online to find one that was close to what I needed. It was a bit of a pain.

This time, in the thread that jpswift1 linked to, I just called Roy at Quality Drive and gave him the distance between the center of the two clutches and he picked out the proper belt for me based on the distance and the type of clutches. I would recommend this option as it is much easier.

When I did my Hustler rebuild I needed a belt. I had no idea what size to use. Lewis directed me to Roy at Quality Drive.. I called him up, gave him my dimensions and had a belt shipped out that day. Works perfect. Very easy.

[BobW]

Thanks. I'll get my axle positions set and then get a center-to-center axle distance.

To double check, when you do get your belt, I gather the belt will sit almost on the rim of the secondary clutch and will be closely wrapped around the primary clutch with the 1-1/8" or so belt deflection.

[Mike]

You are correct. When at rest, the primary clutch will be open, allowing the belt to sit near the center of the clutch. The secondary clutch will be closed so the belt will sit near the outer edge of the clutch.

[BobW]

I received my Dayco 2020 belt from Quality Drive Systems. I notice there are red arrows printed on the belt. Are those important to install so that the red arrows are pointing in the direction of belt travel?

[BobW]

Here is the belt and the layout of the tankette.

[BobW]

By the way, here is an overview of the current state of the tankette.

[minzwa]

I've been restoring a 70s argo 6x6, with a kohler magnum 20 engine, and a comet duster clutch. I'll tell you this was a bit frustrating. It's not the factory set up at all, and the "calculations" didn't work. Short version of the story is I'm on my 4th belt experiment and finally got it right. Great low end, great top speed, and most of all, shifting with no grinding! This belt is a full 2 inches longer than the one the calculation says i need. but it fits the secondary, and seems just a tad longer than needed for the primary. Not enough to worry about though. Tell you what though, i can effortlessly shift with zero grinding. I can even sit and idle in gear with no machine creep. Just used good old trial and error. Returned 2 belts, and am keeping the runner up as a back up, because it works, but is a little difficult to shift. Certainly a fair backup.