So the belt that is currently fitted is a Gates 6214 MC. It is a standard V-section belt, 10mm wide and has an outside length of 860mm. I have replaced it several times on my previous engine and ASSUMED that it was the correct part for a 1980 Alfasud.
However, for some reason I am having the Devil's own job of finding a replacement. Starting with the usual suppliers on ebay (Parts in Motion, RTG etc.) I first received a QH belt which was supposedly equivalent to the Gates 6214 MC and was 875mm long (too loose) and then a belt that was correctly labelled 6214 MC but was in fact a completely different make and only 680mm long (the perils of ordering online).
I thought I had got it right with my latest purchase, correctly labelled Gates 6214 MC, but on trying to fit it, the belt is too tight - the alternator is squashing the coolant transfer pipe beneath it and I have no adjustment
Measuring this belt, I find that it is 855mm long
Going back to the Internet, I cannot seem to find a standard V-belt of the length I need, which has got me thinking I may have put together some sort of hybrid arrangement, using parts from my single carb and dual-carb 1.5 Ti engines?Can anyone confirm what length the alternator belt should be for a twin-carb 1.5 Ti of this vintage? I have discovered that the cast alloy water pump elbow comes in two subtly different types, which shift the position of the alternator pivot. Perhaps that is what I am doing wrong?
Any advice gratefully received - I am reluctant to put any miles on the engine with the current alternator belt, it really needs changing!
Thanks guys!
Lauren