Alternator Belt - 'same' part number, different belts! No more whine

[will e]

When I placed a load on my alternator it would squeal. The noise got really bad the other morning so I took a look. I touched the pulley and it was really really hot. Obviously there was some slippage.

So I go down to the local autozone and get part number 15510. Unfortunately they only had one in stock and had to order another from 'the hub'.
I go back and pick up the second one and take it home.

That's when I found out they interchange part 15510 with part 51015. I ended up with one of each and they are not the same belt. They both had a 15510 package but the numbers on the belt are different:



I put them both on to show one of the differences. The 15510 is a bit thicker and a sits little higher in the pulley than the 51015.

Here is a side shot of the differences:



You can see the 15510 (top) is much thicker. I called around several autozones and asked them to verify the number on the belt itself. It took about 5 calls before I found another one that was an actual 15510.

I have always had a bit of belt whine, no matter how much I tightened. I had been using 51015. With the 15510 there is no whine/slippage at all.

[motcat]

This is great info. I have the same alt squeal using the 51015 from Autozone. I'll go get the 15510.

:JR

[Nikkormat]

I knew there was something funky going on with my belt! Oriely sold me the short one too. Rock auto carries the correct number belt. Thanks for the heads up man you just made me very happy.

[will e]

So are you going to order from Rock Auto? If you get the right belt from them I am going to order an extra set. I think Motcat is going to get the last couple of real 15510's in Phoenix.. haha

[Nikkormat]

Brain fart on my part, I've got to find a taller belt in my size. For the 74 belt drive.

[Nikkormat]

But rock auto should have the correct belt.

[AwesomeJ10]

That's odd.

My Honcho AMC 360 (TBI, of course) is setup for a single alternator belt and dual power steering belts. I dunno what part number belts I have on there, but they are old and have never once squealed. Perhaps my 'quick starting, good running , TBI AMC' doesn't require as much juice to power and therefore, the belt never slips...

[Nikkormat]

Mine squeals like a pig

[AwesomeJ10]

I think it's all that cranking on that carb that drains the battery, requiring the alternator to have to work harder, inducing the slippage.

[will e]

I think it's all that cranking on that carb that drains the battery, requiring the alternator to have to work harder, inducing the slippage.

Or the electric choke...

What really did it was the second battery. I did a test drain on it using the fridge I added to the Jeep. When I would flip the switch to add it into the primary circuit it put a big load on the alternator. At one point the noise is what I can only describe as, well, indescribable.

[Nikkormat]

My belt squeel is so constant and unique that peopek use it to know when i have arrived. "Oh gabes here his car just squeled around the corner"

I dont know blake, I'm usually started within a rotation of the crank as long as the weather is ok. In the cold I "prime" it before I start. Pump it thrice, crank it over two rotations with the kill switch on and the throttle around a quarter open, kill switch off and it starts like warm. Kinda overkill but I enjoy the procedure.

If anything your engine usues more electricity just idling running the computer and higher voltage ignition.

[will e]

Blake's just having fun with us. His electric fuel pump eats up some power too.

Nikkormat, I like your starting procedure. Mine isn't as bad. Get in, turn ignition to on, turn on electric fuel pump, one pump of the gas to set the choke and crank. It almost always catches. Blakes gonna chime in about just getting in and going... I kind of like the old school feel of a starting procedure.

[Nikkormat]

Yeah I know, I'm having fun with him too.

The procedure, and the feeling of satisfaction when you get it just right the first time is a good feeling. Vapor lock and altitude related mixture headaches are not. That all I want to get rid off.

[Stuka]

Hey, just be happy you guys have v-belts. My J10 has the worst serpentine belt setup ever created.

BTW Nikkormat, I edited one of your post up above to change one of your words to funky I don't harp too much on language used here, just keep the f-bombs away.

[Nikkormat]

Is it one of those funky skinny serpentine belts? The like, 1/2" wide ones?

Sorry Stuka I was trying to emulate Bubble's humor, I won't do it anymore.

[Stuka]

Is it one of those funky skinny serpentine belts? The like, 1/2" wide ones?

Its not the belt itself, its how its configured. It was before the days of the spring loaded tensioner. So you use the alternator.

Two problems with this...

1: You can't tighten the belt in one go, since the belt is wrapped around a bunch of accessories. You can tighten about half the length. So you have to tighten, then start the engine for a bit, then tighten again, and do this 3-4 times to get it tight enough to not squeak. A spring loaded tensioner does this for you.

2: AMC's alternator mount requires that you loosen three bolts in order to rotate the alternator. Its a really messed up setup.

[will e]

2: AMC's alternator mount requires that you loosen three bolts in order to rotate the alternator. Its a really messed up setup.

That's messed up. (Office space)

[Nikkormat]

That's great engineering right there. Just throw a serpentine belt in our existing v belt setup with different pulleys ha-ha.

[will e]

I drained my second battery down to 10 volts. Fired up the jeep, flipped the switch to bring the battery in the charging circuit and no noise! Super happy.

[wterrier99]

Quick question about belts...I am in process of changing water pump and had to remove AC compressor and I am going leave it off but put mounting bracket back on. What belt do I need to use 15423? I think this is right just wanting some feedback. 78 Cherokee chief wide track 360


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