MAJOR problems with new March Pulleys
 

I recently installed the March power and amp series pulleys...and since then my battery has died and its taken a beating on my second alternator....this is what i believe happened...the alternator pulley by March is smaller in diamater...thus making more revolutions and putting more strain on the alternator...is this supposed to happen???

I guess you did not read the Posts on pulleys and the problems that result. Good luck with your electrical problems.

Completely normal. If you want to fix the problem, put stock pulley's back on. Or would you rather keep compromising your charging system in the name of at most 10hp.

if you dont wanna feel like you totally wasted your money on those pulleys just leave the crank underdrive pulley on and your charging should operate normally and u might get a couple horses out of it.

all those pulleys are is a headache especially when you have problems like that, buying new batterys and alternators

I've had the March Power and Amp pulleys for about 4 years now on my IROC. Absolutely no problems. Car was my only car and daily driver for about 3 of those years.

Thats just it Buckeye. Some people get lucky and never have a problem, others sound like this guy. Thats why i say it's completely normal. And like i said, is a tenth worth constant headaches. Thats why i never got pullies. I've passed up 2 cheap sets, just because i wasn't even gonna risk the chance of problems down the road. The 2 cheap sets i've passed up, surpirse surprise, also came from people who never got their car to charge with 'em.


BTW, swapping a larger diameter alternator pulley back on will only make the problem worse. Slowing the alternator down will only make it output less. Even with the small diameter alt. pulley the alt. is spinning slower than stock. Hence 'underdrive' pulleys, although i guess nobody uses that term anymore since it's too descriptive.

Just like I said, read the Posts on Pulleys before buying and avoid these problems. This is a Mod that should NEVER be made on street driven cars.:doh:

I have aluminum 3 piece on my 91...no problems whatsoever. My battery is even in the back. On my 87 GTA; however, I did have charging problems with a steel underdrive set. I fixed the problem when I happened to find a Ford alternator with a tiny diameter pulley. This sped up the alternator, but still allowed me to use the crank underdrive.

k..i removed only the alternator pulley...added a larger diameter pulley...works great so far..thanks guys..i wish i wouldve known:doh:

Re: MAJOR problems with new March Pulleys
 

If your having problems with the power and amp pulleys, then your only choice is to put back the stock crank pulley. That power and amp set comes with a smaller then stock alt pulley to help speed up the alt. Since the alt is driven by the belts, the smaller the alt pulley the faster the alt will spin.

JMatlock88..not to change the topic..but. What spacer did you have to use tho mount the 4rth gen wheels. I just bought a new set for the wifes 94, and I would like to use hers on my 89. They are of the 16" variety. Did you have to use the 2" spacers front and back...and do you have any rear view pics of your car....as for the underdrive pullys, alot of problems...PM or E-mail me if you like. Thanks....BTW that is one bad Bird!:thumbsup:

Mine are not 4th gen wheels. Instead they are Ronal thirdgen Firehawk wheels from 91-92. Since they were intended for 1le cars, my front wheels required a small spacer which I belive it is 3/8" The back required no spacers. I plan to change to c5 brakes soon, so the spacers will no longer be necessary for me. Do a quick search to find out what spacers you need for your application. I'm not sure what spacers you need off the top of my head, but I know they are large and costly.

Thanks man!!! :lala: :cool: :D

look i have used aluminum pulleys on 2 of my cars... no problems with either! they are not a waste of money. now on my camaro if i am at a light with my headlights on the battery gauge drops a little down around 10 to fix this just increase your idle about 200 rpms and it will be fine!