Caterpillar 3208 belts part numbers and Adjustment proceedures

[iamflagman]

You will notice that there is a lot of reference to the FC models in this thread but the CAT 3208 in an SP is very similar to the one that is found in the later model FC, it is just turned around, for further discussion go to;

Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner > Engine > CAT 3208 BELT NUMBERS and their PROPER ADJUSTMENT

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Caterpillar 3208 belts part numbers and location, plus adjustment procedures. The sequence of photos and instructions start with this one and continue, by clicking on the URL link below this photo and then click on NEXT at the right of each photo for more information.

http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/84724286

1982 FC35RB 'BIRD CATERPILLAR 3208NA BELTS
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2009

BELTS ARE LISTED IN ORDER OF INSTALLATION FIRST TO LAST INSTALLED. THE NEW GATES FLEETRUNNER NUMBERS ARE NOW LISTED

THE AIRCONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM MY 'BIRD.
THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS ONLY A ONE GROOVE PULLEY.

GATES/NAPA BELTS

WATER PUMP / CRANK / IDLER PULLEY
(2 BELTS) NAPA XL25-9490
GATES FLEETRUNNER 9490HD

POWER STEERING PUMP / CRANK
(1 BELT) NAPA XL 25-9370
GATES FLEETRUNNER 9370HD

ALTERNATOR / AIR COMPRESSOR / WATER PUMP
(2 BELTS) NAPA XL25-9600
GATES FLEETRUNNER 9600HD

HORTON AIR CLUTCH FAN / CRANK
(2 BELTS) NAPA XL25-9455
GATES FLEETRUNNER 9455HD


V-BELT ADJUSTING TOOL
THIS TOOL IS EASY TO MAKE IT CONSISTS OF A 5-1/2 INCH AND A 4 INCH LENGTHS OF THREADED ROD WITH 2 WASHERS AND 2 NUTS PER ROD ARE INSERTED INTO 1/2 INCH HOLES DRILLED IN EACH 2” X 2” X 4” BLOCK OF WOOD, ADJUSTER IS SET BETWEEN THE PULLEYS AND NUTS ARE ADJUSTED OUTWARD UNTIL THE DESIRED POUNDS OF TENSION FOR THE V-BELT ARE MET.
The adjuster when in use should be centered more than is shown in the picture, as it was just set in there for display purposes.The holes are offset so the block of wood can be turned to align with the pulley that are being adjusted.
I got the idea from Tom Warner see his quote below and this tool is very easy to make, it consists of two (2) pieces of wood 2"X 2" X4" in size with a 1/2" hole drilled through them and then a length of threaded rod inserted through the holes with two washers and nuts placed in the middle, the adjuster is then placed between the pulleys and the nuts are adjusted outward to increase the tension on the V-Belts. The adjuster when in use should be centered more than is shown in my picture in the link above, as it was just set in there for display purposes.

Originally Posted by warbucks13477
But I would NEVER use a tire iron to adjust the V belts on my coach. I use a simple tool that I made out of some oak and a threaded rod to adjust the alternator V belts etc and a $10 tool ( Oh my goodness did I break the $40 rule for buying a tool?) to read the correct tension on the V belt that I bought from NAPA. Its called a Krikit. Why do I buy more tools to adjust the simple V belt? Because it stops me from over tightening the belt and ruining the alternator bearings or not tightening them enough and either throwing a V belt of hearing them squeal. Yes I have learned from a lot of years of playing with tools its easier to buy the right tool the first time. Tom Warner


KRIKET V-BELT TENSION TOOL pdf Quote:
Originally Posted by iamflagman
Bill, I just replaced all of the V-Belts on my CAT 3208NA engine in my 'Bird with Gates Fleetrunner Belts and for the first time instead of just going by feel like I have done in the past, I'm going to use a NAPA V-Belt Tension Gauge Item#: NBHKR1 and I want to set the tension on the belts properly, Eric Johnson has created this PDF file CATERPILLAR 3208 V BELT TENSION DATA.pdf showing his adjusted belt tensions on a CAT 3208, I was wondering if you have any different suggestions for V-Belt tensions for this engine and if there are any other tips about using the NAPA V-Belt Tension Gauge? I believe that you have used this tool.

Thanks, John

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Yes , some experience, 6 years ago when I was a newbie, I used the tool and would send one to friends who helped me. Can not remember who, But Jeff Miller, for one , and MH has used the tool.
It is controversial , Google Krikit or Napakr1 or gates Krikit. Lots of forum info, it is used for Porsche & maybe Subaru belts. The mfg, tool cost over $400.00.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=164646

Eric's reading are with a different tool a BANDO TENSION GAUGE , so the numbers are not relevant. With the Krikit, it must be the 30 to 150 pound gage, They come in different colors , mine is Yellow.
I use 90 to 120 pounds for new and 70 to 90 pounds for used belts or normal running tension.
Krikit requires a slow steady even finger pressure.
This is usually about 1/2 to 3/4 inch deflection at mid point of the belt, this is tricky because of the various distance or length between pulleys.
My belts have over 25,000 miles, they look good & I hesitate to change them because they have been good to me, I carry the spare set.
As you know well, the important issue is the water pump fan / assembly adjustment.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

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We are here at the Southwest Bluebird ralley in Quartzsite there are about 40 Bluebirds here now with more expected. Last week before we left I checked all the belts on our 80 FC35 and found them all loose. I could actually turn the alternator pulley by hand. I checked the belts tension using a Borroughs belts tension gauge I bought on Ebay and it showed all the belts were running in the 30 to 40 pound tension range. I adjusted them all to 70 to 90 punds wich is shown on the gauge for used belts. On the way out to Quartzsite I noticed that the fan when it kicked in it worked without squaling belts as it always did before and we seemed to run much cooler going up the hills. As we were pulling into the area I heard a intermittant squaling sound from the engine and today we investigated. I opened the hinged radiator, started the engine and used an infrared thermometer to check the idler/adjustment pulleys, one went to 140 degrees in 3 minutes, I took the idler out and found the bearing was almost frozen, removed the bearing, replaced it and retightend the belt to 80 pounds on the belt gauge, it was the Air Conditioning belt idler, this also provides 1/2 the power for the radiator fan, and we were back in business. This provided a great technical session for some of the assembled Bluebird owners. Anyway on the belt tension issue, according to the Borrroughs belt tension gauge 90 to 120 pounds is the adjustment for a new belt, a used belt should be 70 to 90 pounds of tension.


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Lucas Willemse
Paramount, CA
1980 FC 35

HOW TO PROPERLY ADJUST THE BELTS ON A CAT 3208NA.pdf (9.3 KB)

CAT 3208 IDLER PULLEY BELT TIGHTENER DRAWING.jpg (53.0 KB)

CAT 3208 FAN DRIVE TIGHTENER DRAWING.jpg (51.2 KB)

CATERLILLAR 3208 V BELT TENSION DATA..pdf (38.0 KB)