Under Drive Pulleys..and the problems they cause.

[SchwermoRacing]

I have the March crank, pulley, and the R WP and PS pulley.

30,000 miles including daily 6.5k pulls, and many track runs. Not a problem.

[RedRocket]

I'm getting my Steede pulleys installed this Friday, can't wait!!

[rone77]

so have we deciced are these steeda pulleys safe or not?

[tmhutch]

"Safe" is a relative term. Steeda dampers are "safer" after they increased the diameter but alot of guys think that as long as a part doesnt blow their engine up right away it must be fine. Uncontrolled, or poorly controlled harmonics can do alot of damage over time before something actually breaks or a bearing fails. Unfortunately when this happens it's often attributed to something else. I wouldnt run the Steeda or March above 6500 RPM.

If you want complete protection run the stock piece with larger pulley's on the accessories. If you want superior protection, get a full size ATI damper.

Ultimately guys jeopardize their engines longevity in the pursuit of horsepower. That's hot rodding. But it's usually in the form of power adders that deliver 100's of horsepower, not 3 or 4. Don't let me or anyone else tell you what to do with your car. Look at the facts and decide for yourself.

[Sublimemach]

FYI

I went with march pulleys.

One of them flew off on the dyno, hit my power steering hose. Now im losing power steering fluid. Have to replace the hose.

Car has been in the shop two weeks. it was done a week ago, been working on the pulley issue ever since monday. WHAT A PAIN>>>

NEVER DO PULLEYS> not worth the trouble at all!

[Apollo240]

How long does it take for the oil pump failure to happen? Meaning is this something that happens over time or is it all of a sudden. We are looking at some cars, most have UDP's and im wondering if we take them off if it will be safe or there has already been damage done.

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted by Apollo240

How long does it take for the oil pump failure to happen? Meaning is this something that happens over time or is it all of a sudden. We are looking at some cars, most have UDP's and im wondering if we take them off if it will be safe or there has already been damage done.

Get a billet gear oil pump, problem solved.

Oil pump failure gives you no warning, you'll be racing someone (or riding down the road) and all of the sudden you'll have no oil pressure. Short block damage is usually limited to main/rod bearings if you shut it down quickly enough, the real pain comes from the cam journals/cams, often resulting in heads and cams that are toasted beyond repair in a matter of seconds after oil pressure is lost at speed.

[Apollo240]

Originally Posted by Ben99GT

Get a billet gear oil pump, problem solved.

Oil pump failure gives you no warning, you'll be racing someone (or riding down the road) and all of the sudden you'll have no oil pressure. Short block damage is usually limited to main/rod bearings if you shut it down quickly enough, the real pain comes from the cam journals/cams, often resulting in heads and cams that are toasted beyond repair in a matter of seconds after oil pressure is lost at speed.

So its impossible to tell if theres been any damage done already, it can just fail out of the blue? So taking the udp's off really wont help them?


Just looked up the pump, thats expensive and she dont want a car shes instantly gotta put money into. If putting the stock pullies on wont fix this issue, ill guess we may have to pass.

[tmhutch]

Good point, Ben.

I'll add that the pullies on the accessories are fine. They dont cause any problems. It is the smaller diameter harmonic damper that bolts on the end of the crank that creates issues. This is primarily a DOHC engine problem. Failures have occured on SOHC GT engines but not like the Cobra/Mach engines. Just make sure she's not running a small diameter damper like the old style Steeda shown on the right in the picture below. Pictured are ATI, stock and Steeda.

A budget $100 damper wont control harmonics like a quality unit but the new Steeda with increased mass, and the fluid filled unit from March are not likely to grenade the engine if RPM's are kept below 6500. Fortunately most people are aware of these limitations and have compensated accordingly.

Over time an inferior damper will accelerate wear in the crank and connecting rod bearings but many people arent thinking in terms of 50,000 miles.

One simple thing she can do if putting a stock or better damper back on is out of the question is to run the best 5W-30 or thicker oil available. Red Line is probably the best you can get. Mobil 1 synthetic is better than non-synthetics but wont protect rod and main bearings like Red Line or the top shelf options from Amsoil.

[tmhutch]

Originally Posted by Apollo240

So taking the udp's off really wont help them? If putting the stock pullies on wont fix this issue, ill guess we may have to pass.

Putting the stock damper back on will prevent any further accelerated wear and greatly reduce chances of oil pump failure. Oil pumps fail on sevaral other makes of cars that have DOHC's and use the crankshaft as a drive mechanism so it's not that uncommon. Just dont run a cheap damper in conjunction with high RPM, nitrous or blowers and the engine will live a long happy life.

[lee1rbc]

I bought my 01 Cobra with BBK pulleys on it. The previous owner said he put them on a month before I got the car. 7 months later my oil pump came apart and destroyed my motor. 80k miles, only used mobil 1.

[tmhutch]

Brutal.

[SchwermoRacing]

How much would it be to get the gears and have them installed by a shop?

[tmhutch]

Probably cost $200 - $300 in labor on the high side.

[OWmach1]

My replacement came with bbk UD pulleys. I took the crank off and replaced it with my old stock one because it looked very disturbing and just weird with the longer bolt. I left the water pump on. Is that going to effect anything?

[tmhutch]

Larger pulley's on the accessories works well but it's a good idea to get the correct length belt to keep the correct belt tension.

[OWmach1]

Originally Posted by tmhutch

Larger pulley's on the accessories works well but it's a good idea to get the correct length belt to keep the correct belt tension.

Yeah i tried my belt and it didn't fit. Anyone know what size belt to run with stock everything except for the water pump pulley?

[tmhutch]

The best way is to install the stock pulley and run a seamstress tape around the entire route of the belt and take a measurement. Do the same with the larger pulley and note the difference then look for a belt that matches.

[OWmach1]

Is this the bbk style ud pulley that causes oil pump failure as well even if the engine is being shifted @ 6k?

[tmhutch]

I'm not a big fan of those because they often don't center accurately but I don't think any underdrive damper will destroy an engine kept at 6k or under. On a 4.6 the strong harmonics don't kick in until 6500 RPM.

[OWmach1]

Originally Posted by tmhutch

I'm not a big fan of those because they often don't center accurately but I don't think any underdrive damper will destroy an engine kept at 6k or under. On a 4.6 the strong harmonics don't kick in until 6500 RPM.

I ordered MARCH pulleys, but I got a email back saying it's back ordered so I just cancelled it and plan on getting some later on.

[4a7191a]

Even the 99 cobra guys had problems with the bbk ud pulley . :/ hope your motor wasnt completely trashed mam.

[drewzx3]

With all 4 March pullies do you have to run a different belt?

[96gt02]

Yes all 4 you need a 950k6 belt, if you do all three besides the alt its a 945k6, if you only do the march dampner its a923k6 FYI

[OWmach1]

What do you guys think of the summit racing ud pulley? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su.../model/mustang