Plug and belt question

bmalone · #1 (**permalink**) 08-20-2002, 10:40 PM

Changed the oil in the TP over the weekend at 1800 miles. Oil looked and felt good, no metal particles on the drain plug. 9 1/2 qts. and she was ready to go.

Tonight I pulled a couple of plugs and it looks like the threads were coated with some type of anti-seize lubricant--seems OK to me. Electrodes the perfect fluffy, brown color. So much for the wives' tale that TPs foul plugs on the street. The plugs are Autolite 45.

Question: Any other FE guys using this plug, and second, my belt (want a spare) says "15435 Made in Belgium"--but no manufacturer name.

I saw on ERA's Web site a reference to Gates 7445 XL as a belt you can use. I called a few stores and it cross-referenced to some Dayco belt that most Auto parts stores carry. Question is does anyone know the exact right belt to use?

Thanks

427sharpe · #2 (**permalink**) 08-20-2002, 11:10 PM

The belt number you list 15435--is a strayco number, which is an industry standard. The first 2 numbers designate width (in this case same as a 7 in Gates or a 15 in Goodyear and Dayco) and the last 3 are circumferential length--43.5 inches. So, an exact cross would be a Gates 7435, but the nearest they make may very well be a 7440 or 7445. Your number should cross directly to the other manufacturers. As an aside, the same applies to serpentine belts, like 1010K6, which means 101.0" overall length with 6 ribs. Just FYI. this numbering system is used by almost everybody in the US as far as parts houses go. Hence, a '7' belt is narrower than a 8 or 9, and a '15' belt is narrower than a 17.
As for the silver stuff on your plugs, it is anti seize compound to keep the plugs from galling the heads over time...a very good idea and also found very cheap in the parts houses. I make all my techs use dielectric grease on the top of the plugs too so that the wires dont seize on the plugs. Just dab some anti seize on the threads, and put a touch of dielectric grease in the spark plug boot when you install new plugs and you are ready to go.

Bob Putnam · #3 (**permalink**) 08-21-2002, 05:23 AM

bmalone,

The belts we list fit our cars, but we shift the alternator in and up from the "stock" position with a special bracket. You'll probably have to trial fit one belt to acertain the final size.

bmalone · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2002, 10:14 AM

Thanks guys, and 427, thanks for the lesson on numbering conventions.



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