Need to know the modern equivalent fan belts for the T-16

[horsa]

Fan belts are for the Ford T-16 Mercury 239 Engine which has double pulleys. Each belt makes the same full loop around the dizzy and the engine has the correct special giant generator on top. It would be nice to find a pair of NOS GAU belts but failing that, I need to know a modern belt that I can buy at an auto parts place. Belts I have were a guess and work fine at idle and lower speeds but slip once things get going faster as they don’t seat deep enough and I can’t really raise the generator higher to maintain proper tension. I’d like to change them out before I button everything up in the engine compartment as its sure easier to work with the top armor cover off as it is right now.

What are other vehicle owners using for replacements?

[Tony Smith]

Gates parts listing recommend a TR24530 (but don't specify if thats a single belt or double), but I have used a Dayco belts with a part no/size of 17A1425.

[horsa]

Hey Tony,

Just contacted the Dayco reps to get a US conversion number on the belt you are using since that was a metric code. Closest one in the US supply system for reference is Dayco 24565. Makes the belt 56.5" and its a 5/8" Vee type. Its now on order so with luck, I'll be able to try it out this next weekend and see if it works out better.

Appreciate the lead.

[horsa]

Wanted to follow up on this one in case anyone in the future did a search looking for belts. The US version of the Dayco belt number 24565 (Metric per the tag is 17A1435) worked as it should on my carrier. From the size code, its 56.5 inches long which is slightly longer than the belt Tony posted as using on his carrier. That one is probably 56 inches which would be closer to the orignal belts used during the war. Either way, it must be close enough since the generator is able to be raised higher to tension it with the longer belt.

Thanks again for the info Tony as it solved my problem.