Two Gates-7365. The first was a tight fit. The second went on easy. When I attempted to take out the slack the second belt was still loose. The identical numbers were also printed on the belts, but the format was slightly different. They also varied ever so slightly in color. Perhaps a difference in manufacturers or simply a different batch. Has anyone else experienced this? Don't tell me there's suppose to be a difference...

FCP has the Continental matching set for $8.99. Mike T.

I stopped by my local Napa dealer and switched out the slightly longer belt. The new belt matched perfectly once installed. I will probably be rebuilding the motor next year and will go with a better quality belt then

I stopped by my local Napa dealer and switched out the slightly longer belt. The new belt matched perfectly once installed. I will probably be rebuilding the motor next year and will go with a better quality belt then

I used what I believed to be Gates performance belts on my 940. Dropped a bolt on the AC compressor during a 5hr drive coming home back from PA shortly after I installed them. I was surprised how quiet the AC belt was despite the fact that it was on the verge of being thrown. I will take your word for it though. Changing belts are such a hassle.

Vacuumhead wrote--"Has anyone else experienced this? Don't tell me there's suppose to be a difference...". Sorry, but yes, there is supposed to be a difference (manufacturing tolerances, etc.). That's why a "matched set" is what the alternator takes--not two belts of the same number but a set sold together as measured at the factory. If your local source can't supply that--get a set mail order. -- Dave

I can see a significant difference stretching them out. Well beyond any tolerance I'm use to. But your point is well taken. Ordering a matched set is probably the best solution. Though I will stop by my local Napa and see if we can match them.

I had the same thing happen to me, albeit several years ago, most frustrating. I ended up getting Blue Box replacements, they come in pairs. The trouble I had was they were to long.

Good Luck,
Fred

OEM are 16 dollars at fCP Euro. No more than what I paid for the Gates.

I agree with all the others on the board here about Gates belts! They suck!

I have been using Goodyear GatorBack belts for years. They last longer for me by running quieter their whole life. They last four years like they are suppose to! I hate hearing that squishy-mushy sound that Gates make in about year and a half! The power steering pulley might as well be an audio speaker cone!

Recently, Continental, owned by only one German family that's held privately, has purchased GoodYear belt line. The Goodyear industrial hose product line maybe be included or broken out of it.
I don't know for sure but it is changing. This is per my "industrial haunts" I purchase things from.
They brought all this third hand from the Veyance group that bought the line from Carlyle group. Carlyle got it from GoodYear a several years before all this.

American products are going out a rotating door that's more like "quick for profit only" windmill.

These belts will now sold under the new Continental ELITE branding! They did not purchase the GatorBack name so the name is going to disappear, automotive wise anyway. They were after the helical notch and rubber material formulation.

I just purchased some alternator 15371's from off eBay that were labeled Continental/ GoodYear and they came with the older GB branding still on the box banding.
One came with blue NASCAR band symbol and other one was plain Goodyear GatorBack.
I could care less about paying for that name as they don't make any products ...or it better! No guarantee of anything but a hidden royalty/loyalty cost!

The belts were the same length despite not being matched labeled.
Both do have "Matchmaker" also stenciled on the belts. The Name might mean, Better Tolerances being held.
That could be the answer to that, since coming randomly off some dusty eBay store shelf!

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Another thing I would like to throw out to the board is an incident that just happened to me the weekend before the Fourth of July. I was about 200 miles from home, on a Sunday! No parts store open.

I lost the bolt out of the alternator's adjuster bracket. It's the bolt that goes through the big end with a rubber bushing!

I don't think, I have ever checked that bolt for tightness, over the many years, on any of my cars!
I could not remember if it came with only one bushing or two? Luckily, it's one!

I had just replaced a timing belt on my '86 wagon two weeks ago but that car was not the car I took on this trip. This was due to it having older aging Chinnese tires. I am getting a little nervous about them especially if the roads are hot!

I took my younger mileage '84 sedan that was on this same 1200 mile round trip last month. I changed its timing belt last February so I knew it was all proven and tested! (:-)

Needless to say, the week before the belt change clued me in where to get a bolt! I got it from the lower right hand side of the plastic timing cover.

It is the bigger one that has the 12mm head and fortunately was not too long or I would have had to scrounge up some washers!
I don't think there is another place to find one of those bolts. Does anyone know of another place?

So, if this ever happens or another similar incident that could, I say other fellow boarders, just remember to look around on the vehicle, you might find what you need in a pinch!

By the way, since you are changing the alternator belts, CHECK on that THIRD FASTENER...aka...bushing BOLT!

It's hidden out of sight and out of mind! When I get back home, I will be checking my other three cars!

I heard the strange noise because I was going slow with the A/C on and going to stop a McDonalds. It just happened to have a nice shade tree for this mechanical type to get comfortable under! (:-)
Glad I picked the coolest day to travel.

Oh, by the way, the voltmeter needle WAVED at me so I knew something was up! No idiot light ever came on.

Phil

Gates? Thats your problem right there use OEM or Continental as Gates belts well, they just plain suck

Two possibilities:

Your accessory bushings are massively shot. Swap the two belts front to back.

You "need" a matched set. Some places sell them but I do remember which.