Blower belt for MCI

paul102a3 · August 16, 2009, 03:47:38 PM

I need to replace the blower belt on my 102a3 and have researched the archives as best I can. My book gives the part number as 8K-27-7 which is also listed in the archives. It was also mentioned that this is a special design specifically for MCI and there is no cross reference to standard belts.

Unfortunately, the belt that is on the bus is so worn there are no numbers so I don't know if it is the correct belt to begin with.

The outside diameter of my belt is a touch over 122 inches which I understand is the correct measurement. The profile of the belt seems to fit the pulley correctly so I think it is the right belt.

The bus came with a bunch of spare belts but none match the one in use now.

I have a C118 which is the correct length, but the profile is wider than the one on the bus so it doesn't sit in the pulley quite right. This causes the blower to sit lower than it used to.

There is also a C120 which has the the same profile as the C118 but it is 124 inches long which causes the blower to sit higher than it used to.

I would guess that a C119 would be just about right but before I try to find one I was wondering if anyone had any updated info on aftermarket belts or should I just suck it up and buy the correct one from MCI?

Thanks,

Paul

jmblake · August 16, 2009, 06:52:30 PM

Paul
I just got a spare one for my 9 from MCI it was around $49.00, None of the local truck shops could cross the # of the old belt. If your order is over $100.00 its free shipping also. Jason

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · August 16, 2009, 08:20:00 PM

Hi Paul,

Luke at US Coach stocks just about all MCI belts. I purchaced spare blower, and A/C belts from him for about the price Jason did.

1-856-794-3104

Luke shipps anywhere
Nick-

NewbeeMC9 · August 16, 2009, 08:28:02 PM

I just bought a belt for mine and its gates/napa number is CX120 the X has the notches on the inside.

I bought a C120 in a pinch because it was on the shelf, the CX120 had to be ordered.

Hope this helps.

Jerry32 · August 16, 2009, 09:10:35 PM

I went all over in spartenburg looking for a belt to fit and could not find the exact size. I think MCI is the correst place to get one Jerry

paul102a3 · August 17, 2009, 02:59:06 AM

Thanks everyone.

I'll order the belt from MCI.

I assumed the price of the belt would be out of sight from MCI but at $49.00 that is not bad considering NAPA wanted $86.00 for the C119.

Paul

NewbeeMC9 · August 17, 2009, 04:49:59 AM

At $49 I would go with that. Be sure to buy two so you have a spare. As you see they're not readily available.

When you really need one, your not in a spot to order one.

kyle4501 · August 17, 2009, 09:13:41 AM

belts have a shelf life . . . . .

Would it be better to just replace the belt periodically?

Jerry, I'm not surprised, spartanburg is lacking in the parts supply area. I hear the NAPA store in Columbia is much better since it is also a huge warehouse.

kwood · August 17, 2009, 10:10:39 AM

Bought a spare set of belts directly from MCI. They were very helpful in making sure I got the right ones.

NewbeeMC9 · August 17, 2009, 12:40:23 PM

Quote from: kyle4501 on August 17, 2009, 09:13:41 AM
1 belts have a shelf life . . . . .

2 Would it be better to just replace the belt periodically?

3 Jerry, I'm not surprised, spartanburg is lacking in the parts supply area. I hear the NAPA store in Columbia is much better since it is also a huge warehouse.

1 Yep

2 Yep

3 As with most places you will be when you need a belt, That is why you should carry a spare-particularly with an MCI. Belts can go bad for other reasons than just age. S**t Happens (so they say

)

John316 · August 17, 2009, 01:51:32 PM

Parts stores aren't lacking in Carlsbad NM, however the parts are

. We threw a idler pulley on the radiator pulley, that then powered the air charge cooler. Hence we were stranded for a day until we got a machinist to machine a new bearings into the old one, and bolt it together (we never did get to see the caverns

).

Moral of the story? We had all of our belts, just no idler pulley. Think about what could catastrophically break, and carry a spare, if possible (I am not talking about the big things, of course, just little things like our idler pulley). So far we haven't ever been able to have a "planned" break down.

God bless,

John

johns4104s · August 17, 2009, 08:31:55 PM

The price of parts sure does differ.

10each wheel lugs and nuts (to attach the lug nut to the hub)

MCI was 80% higher than US Coach.

John

belfert · August 18, 2009, 05:37:51 AM

I carry spares for my fan belt and my alternator belt. I replaced the fan belts when I replaced the radiator and the alternator belt when I replaced the drain line on it. I bought a second set of fan belts for spares as the originals were pretty bad. The spare alternator belt is the original. I got the first set of fan belts from MCI, but sourced the second second locally.

I never thought about a spare idler pully for the fan, but it would be a good idea I guess. I could rig up something to charge batteries if the alternator blows, but the fan pully would probably be hard to find along I80 out west.

belfert · August 18, 2009, 05:43:53 AM

Oh my, MCI wants $400 for the idler pully for my fan belt tensioner.

I might be able find a machine shop to redesign the crappy tensioner for less money than that!

Busted Knuckle · August 18, 2009, 06:06:17 AM

Quote from: belfert on August 18, 2009, 05:43:53 AM
Oh my, MCI wants $400 for the idler pully for my fan belt tensioner.

I might be able find a machine shop to redesign the crappy tensioner for less money than that!

Yes it is a complete set up they redesigned the set up and the old one is not available anymore.
I'd take the old one off and have C & J or a machine shop replace the bearings in the one you have and put it back on. It'll last you the rest of the time you own it no more than you'll use it! (been down that road b4!)

BK