First Ever Build - belt slipping

contactpatch · 12-28-2014, 02:46 PM

This is my first ever build. It had been sitting out in the weeds for many years before I started on it. It's an '87 Marathon and runs good but it seems like the belt slips when it tries to get going. The motor revs up but it takes just a minute to get going. Any ideas?
BTW thanks for all the info on this forum. I learned a lot from it while I was working on it.

germandude890 · 12-28-2014, 07:49 PM

How old is the belt?

contactpatch · 12-28-2014, 08:01 PM

um...Probably 27 years old.
I didn't know how to tell if it was a belt problem or a clutch problem.
Thanks

germandude890 · 12-28-2014, 08:05 PM

I'm no expert but I'm sure one will chime in. It could be that the belt if worn out. I'm battling a clutch right now and I'm not sure if they stick just a little or just seize up completely.

Tonka329 · 12-28-2014, 08:23 PM

Belt should not measure any less than 7/8" wide. I would start cheapest first. If everything else moves and it takes a bit to get rolling, it's most likely the belt and rusty sheaves. Should be golden with a new belt

contactpatch · 12-28-2014, 08:55 PM

OK Thanks. Should I go with the original belt size or a slightly shorter one since I put the larger tires on it?

Tonka329 · 12-28-2014, 09:25 PM

Stock belt size is best. If you want more take off power, get a clutch power kit

contactpatch · 12-28-2014, 09:35 PM

OK, thanks for the info

Tonka329 · 12-28-2014, 09:45 PM

No problem. Feel free to ask any questions

BrewCityMusic · 12-29-2014, 05:01 PM

just a note, but on a 1987 the OEM spec on the belt is 1 3/16" - if it's at 1 1/8" or less the possibility of slippage becomes present. 7/8" and it's not moving at all anymore I would guess (I've never seen a belt wear that far on a Marathon so I can't be sure, but I've seen a lot that were far wider than 7/8" and were already 100% useless) ...

As to a shorter belt, the difference is definitely noticeable and on a par with a new spring in the driven clutch (the backbone of a "Power Kit") - As to the full "Power Kit" with new springs for both clutches, they do add power however many people (myself included) absolutely hate the jerky takeoffs that come with a stiffer spring in the drive clutch. A shorter belt would be a definite in my book, your mileage may vary :)

12-28-2014, 07:49 PM	#2
germandude890 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 39	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping How old is the belt?
germandude890 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 39

12-28-2014, 08:01 PM	#3
contactpatch Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 5	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping um...Probably 27 years old. I didn't know how to tell if it was a belt problem or a clutch problem. Thanks
contactpatch Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 5

12-28-2014, 08:05 PM	#4
germandude890 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 39	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping I'm no expert but I'm sure one will chime in. It could be that the belt if worn out. I'm battling a clutch right now and I'm not sure if they stick just a little or just seize up completely.
germandude890 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 39

12-28-2014, 08:23 PM	#5
Tonka329 Smoov az a gravy sammich Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Limestone, Illinois Posts: 3,462	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping Belt should not measure any less than 7/8" wide. I would start cheapest first. If everything else moves and it takes a bit to get rolling, it's most likely the belt and rusty sheaves. Should be golden with a new belt

12-28-2014, 08:55 PM	#6
contactpatch Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 5	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping OK Thanks. Should I go with the original belt size or a slightly shorter one since I put the larger tires on it?
contactpatch Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 5

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12-28-2014, 09:25 PM	#7
Tonka329 Smoov az a gravy sammich Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Limestone, Illinois Posts: 3,462	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping Stock belt size is best. If you want more take off power, get a clutch power kit

12-28-2014, 09:35 PM	#8
contactpatch Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 5	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping OK, thanks for the info
contactpatch Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 5

12-28-2014, 09:45 PM	#9
Tonka329 Smoov az a gravy sammich Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Limestone, Illinois Posts: 3,462	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping No problem. Feel free to ask any questions

12-29-2014, 05:01 PM	#10
BrewCityMusic Hammer Down !!!! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lake Geneva, WI Posts: 2,681	Re: First Ever Build - belt slipping just a note, but on a 1987 the OEM spec on the belt is 1 3/16" - if it's at 1 1/8" or less the possibility of slippage becomes present. 7/8" and it's not moving at all anymore I would guess (I've never seen a belt wear that far on a Marathon so I can't be sure, but I've seen a lot that were far wider than 7/8" and were already 100% useless) ... As to a shorter belt, the difference is definitely noticeable and on a par with a new spring in the driven clutch (the backbone of a "Power Kit") - As to the full "Power Kit" with new springs for both clutches, they do add power however many people (myself included) absolutely hate the jerky takeoffs that come with a stiffer spring in the drive clutch. A shorter belt would be a definite in my book, your mileage may vary :)

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