trimming away the idler pulley

[Mike Calver]

Hi
I was wondering if i trimmed the lips of the idler pulley on my xxx-s would it make any improvements to the drivetrain, it's the white circular part that the belt wraps around.
I'm just rebuilding the car so was wondering as ages and ages ago i heard the lips create more drag.
thanks Mike

[gingapaint]

erm... thats maybe getting a bit drastic.. if the belt comes off that pully, it could make an impressive mess...

TBH, last night i was prepping the car for the scottish GP, and you can get the drivetrain impressivly free without resorting to such measures...

[Doughty]

I agree with Ginga, not sure it would have any benifit.

[Mike Calver]

Ok then, Thought i heard someone saying it would benefit the car but now i think about it it does seem a bit silly, my drivetrain does feel fairly free but i'm sure theres still improvements to be made ::)

cheers for the replies.
Mike

[gingapaint]

the every other tooth on the belt jobbie makes a difference, (but is a real pain to do...) and removing shields from the bearings, proper cleaning, and re-lubing has the single best effect. i found that months of very occasional use, had left my CVD's in less than perfect condition, and this was robbing effeciency as well.

if you're going to remove shiels from bearings, only remove those that face enclosed areas, and leave the shields on those sides exposed.
eg, on a hub, remove the two inner surfaces, but leave the two outer ones. this helps to make the bearings last slightly longer, but removing bearings at all will lead to premature failure of them at some point..... ::)

[Mike Calver]

Cheers Chris.

Have done all the bearings and the car rolls superb !!!
I tried cutting every other tooth away but ruined two old belts so i won't bother committing to a good belt ::)

I am quite pleased with the free-ness of the car but it still seems a bit loud for a xxxs :(

thanks Mike

[gingapaint]

the noise is prob coming from either the spur gear or the the driveshafts.... mine were squeeking at the weekend.. no time for maintenence.. :-[

i havn't tried the new kevlar spurs yet, but theyre menat to be the buisness.

[Doughty]

not tried one in my xxx-s but in my other cars they are ace!