Goodyear Gatorback belt???

[jsz]

I have a Quicksilver sepentine belt (mercruiser replacement) for my 2002 21v with a 350 merc (315HP). I paid about $75 for it at a boat shop a few years ago. I'm thinking of replacing it with a Goodyear Gatorback or Gates from a local auto shop. I'm guessing it will cast about 1/2 of what the "marine belt cost.

Is the a difference between auto and marine belts?
Have any of you used the Gatorback without complaints?
If so, do you recall the model #. My quicksilver#is 57-865615005.

[TeamAllen]

There should be no difference with an automotive belt. Just take it into your local auto parts store and have them measure it. There was another thread on this earlier. I'll see if I can find it.

Here it is. Serpentine Part Number

[jsz]

Thanks TeamAllen. I wonder if any of the guys here that work at Tige or any marine dealer would disagree with you (auto belt same as marine belt)? For the extra money you would think there would some advantage to the marine (material? quality? less squeaks? more able to handle getting wet?)

I'm still curious on the Goodyear Gatorback though. Have any of you tried it???

[mtnsmith]

I put a Gator Back on my truck motor...same basic 5.7 liter v-8, and it has lasted extremely well. 32000 miles and it still looks great. I've never had any squealing even when my water pump started leaking out the weep hole all over the belt. My experience has been good overall, just not in a boat.

[jsz]

Well I just bought one. We'll see how it goes.

[jsz]

Belt size update:

I actually bought 2 of them. My old one measured 87.5" but they also had an 87.2" and 87.0" both for $15 less than the 87.5. I wasn't sure how much my old one had streched since new so I wanted to get another one that was a little smaller. I put the 87.2 on and it worked fine. The smaller belt gave me more room to tighten it (The old belt was pretty much at the end of the tightening range and it still seems like it could go a tad more). I think the 87.0 would also work.

[dogbert]

Originally posted by jsz
Belt size update:

I actually bought 2 of them. My old one measured 87.5" but they also had an 87.2" and 87.0" both for $15 less than the 87.5. I wasn't sure how much my old one had streched since new so I wanted to get another one that was a little smaller. I put the 87.2 on and it worked fine. The smaller belt gave me more room to tighten it (The old belt was pretty much at the end of the tightening range and it still seems like it could go a tad more). I think the 87.0 would also work.

That's good to know!

[jsz]

OK I'm not very computer savy so you're going to have to help me out. How do you "quote" someone???

[TeamAllen]

Originally posted by jsz
OK I'm not very computer savy so you're going to have to help me out. How do you "quote" someone???

Like that. Just kidding. There is a button on the lower right of each post next to the edit button. Click on that it will take you to a reply page with the quote from that post already in your reply box. Just add your comments below that, done.

[kko]

Originally posted by TeamAllen
Like that. Just kidding. There is a button on the lower right of each post next to the edit button. Click on that it will take you to a reply page with the quote from that post already in your reply box. Just add your comments below that, done.

kewl i wanted to know how to do that as well thanx

[spharis]

Originally posted by jsz
I wasn't sure how much my old one had streched since new so I wanted to get another one that was a little smaller.

FYI it is a well overstated myth that belts stretch. It was an issue with older belts of different compounds, but anything new is different. A new belt will never stretch in length, it will only lose its profile shape. I used to think the same until I went to a specialty "belt" store, and asked for a .5" shorter belt. I was asked why a shorter belt, and was told no need to go shorter. I was skeptical until I put the new belt on, and it worked great.

[teachercop]

Tool my serp belt off and went down to auto parts store and used the part number on the original belt to cross it to a replacement belt. Not sure of brand or number, I will refer to my log and post that info. I do recall the cost being somewhere in the $25 range.