Obligatory:
Now? ... or back in 2016 when the used belt was new? Was the used belt measured when new? How do we know if Gates didn't changed the width between 2016 and now?According to Gates, that belt is supposed to be 7/8" wide.
In my application, I think it could. The crank sprocket has guides on the sides to keep the belt in place. The OEM belt fits within the guides perfectly while the Gates belt leaves a few mm of room for the belt to potentially wander from side to side. Whether it actually did or not I don't know, but I can see how it could have.Give the pulley system a look. Does the narrowness appear to invite wandering of the belt?
Gates aftermarket part quality has been trash for quite some time.
I don't think so. I have never had a problem with their products, but from my experience with their serpentine belts, their quality is somewhat lacking compared to Gates. To me, they just feel cheaper and don't appear to be made as nicely.Do you think that Dayco is better?
(I'm asking, not challenging)
I do not....Sure, There are OE quality parts to be found in Dayco's catalog, Just like Gates.Do you think that Dayco is better?
(I'm asking, not challenging)
It's supposed to be stronger than a normal belt and better able to handle the additional load created by aftermarket valvetrains and higher than stock RPM.What the flippin flip is a race timing belt? A factory timing belt should be able to handle any RPM, RPM transition, or load I can muster. It's not like a flywheel where I can shave some mass to help accelleration. If timing belts caused drag the CAFE motivations would make a slippery OE belt.
A narrower belt has less drag, which in the racing world all that really matters is squeaking out as much power as possible.That's true but before I bought it I emailed Gates to ask if it is okay to use on a daily driver and they assured me that it's fine and that its longevity will be at least as good as the OEM belt.
Especially in a racing application where aggressive cams and stiff valve springs are often used and the engine is revved above the stock redline, I'd definitely want the belt to be made to the proper specs especially for the price those belts sell for.
I see no benefit to making the belt narrower than stock other than cost savings, which shouldn't be so much of a factor for such an expensive and supposedly high end belt that they don't even make it to the proper dimensions. I suppose it's also possible that Gates just didn't care to make it to the proper specs or had some type of manufacturing defect that their quality control didn't catch, but either way this situation isn't looking good for Gates IMO.
Good point, didn't think of that. Seems like yet another example of a racing product not being the best choice for street use.A narrower belt has less drag, which in the racing world all that really matters is squeaking out as much power as possible.
You bought a belt meant for a specific purpose, there is no problem with it...
Aisin really likes people to think they are OEM for the Honda V6 timing components. As you've illustrated, they made the water pumps for Honda in the 2000's, but that ship has sailed. Yamada has been making the water pump for Honda (in their J-series and others) for many years now.Actually Aisin made the OEM water pump that came on this engine but the new one I bought from Honda a few weeks ago is made by Yamada.
I considered buying an aftermarket Aisin pump instead of OEM since they made the original, but I decided to go OEM for piece of mind. This thread is yet another example of a manufacturer making their aftermarket parts to lower standards than their OEM grade parts and I didn't want to take a chance on such a critical part.
Good idea, I will email Gates tomorrow and post their response (if they bother to respond).
Yup, the pump I recently bought from the Honda dealer was made by Yamada.Aisin really likes people to think they are OEM for the Honda V6 timing components. As you've illustrated, they made the water pumps for Honda in the 2000's, but that ship has sailed. Yamada has been making the water pump for Honda (in their J-series and others) for many years now.