Clutches and Belt Setup

[Dre]

I inherited an older Argo (Magnum I believe) project that was part way through an engine swap from a Kohler 18 to a Vanguard 18.

The engine was bolted in but had never been started, and the drive clutch was mounted to it, and the drive belt was on. I messed around electrical stuff the first couple of nights I worked on it, and last night got it to the point where the motor was ready to fire it up.

Once the engine was running I tried to put it in gear but it just grinds so I stopped right away. Apon further inspection I noticed that the drive clutch seems to be engaged even when the motor is idling. The belt still spins... I assumed this was my problem.

But then I also noticed the belt seems too tight as well, and seems to ride much deeper in the driven clutch than in other pictures Iv seen... its at least a couple of inches inside the outer edges of the clutch (picture below).

Is my belt to short for where the motor is positioned?

How tight should the drive belt be when the motor is turned off and the machine is in neutral?

Do I need to remove one of the clutches to remove the drive belt?



IMG_0085.jpg

[thebuggyman1]

Your belt should stick above the edges of the secondary slightly, like 1/16". Here is some more info ATV and Snowmobile Belts - by Dayco

[Dre]

Thanx Buggyman!

[racerone3]

your belt is WAY too tight. in your case you will probably need to remove a clutch to get the belt off. you can either redrill the engine mount to move the Vanguard back some (if there is room) or try to find a belt that will be long enough

[hydromike]

Wowzers.... That's tight. If you don't have room to move the engine closer to the transmission (like 'Race says, and probably at least 4 inches, by the looks of things), you'll have to find a substantially longer belt. It may have to be a bit of trial and error, but there's definitely the right belt out there for it. The driven clutch can't be turning when you put the transmission into, or change gears....

~m

[Dre]

Thanx alot guys. I can move the motor back about 1.5 inches until the oil filter assembly hits the plastic shroud that cools the breaks. But you can tell just from looking at it that wont be enough. Im gonna try and find a belt.... looks like it needs to be about 55" around the outside.

Any idea on the best place to purchase one?

[lewis]

Try the link to Quality Drive Systems: Quality Drive Systems

Roy is the guy to talk with he is very knowledgeable about these machines. He will have a belt or tell you what one you need. His link will give you the telephone number us it. He will ask you some basic questions. Center to center on the clutches. When i was looking for a belt for the crush all i got was a lot of run around because it was not a known belt size(custom build). Looked for 2 weeks. Called Roy he had them on the self and shipped next day.

Hope this helps