I know i spoke to various people at the AGM on Saturday but does anyone know the product code and supplier of compessor and alternator belts for a standard AEC RM engined vehicle? I spoke to one company earlier today but they said they could match if i took one of each to them (that means taking one off but they are miles away) Thanks all

When I had the compressor rebuilt eighteen months ago I replaced the compressor belts. The existing ones were:
FENNER CPA 1120. I took one as an example to a local firm -WYCO Industrial Services (aka Swan Bearings) of Swan Street, Preston, where they were very helpful and matched them to an equivalent part which was: Part No SPA1120FOZ -Q-FEN.

There was already a spare wired on to the bus underneath as was the normal practice I am told.....I left that there and took the opportunity of adding another one while the cardan shaft was out of the way.

The new belts fitted perfectly. Price was £30.99 + VAT for the pair.

Let me know if you are unable to source these - I would be willing to order them for you if required.

Telephone number of the above firm is 01772 792771, FAX 01772 791315.

Hope this helps.

John H

Should also have mentioned that RM 529 is a standard AEC engined version.

Also the firm's name is WYKO - with a 'K'.

John H

hi mark forgot to tell you that depending on whay alternator you've got determines what sizw the belts are plus also depends whether you have the right crankshaft pulley for your alternator.as for instance mine has a dy 39a which is a cav ac7a but it has a steel pulley instead of the cast ally one it should have as couldn't get an ally one in good condition.so your best bet would almost certainly be to take one off and go and get them mached up.if my memory serves me correctly there were three different sizws but like i say with the mixing up of pulleys could be lots more than that now hope that is of help.regards tim.

Different manufacturers identify belts in their own sweet way. To measure, the belt is placed over a sliding guage which is like a half pulley at each end. The guage is then pulled tight and the belt length read off a scale. The problem comes because some makes turn the belt inside out first and others don't. The resulting length is imprinted on the belt as its part number. The only succesful way is to take a belt as a pattern. Even then it is possible to find that one size(length) different is actually a better fit.

On AEC beware of overtightening the nuts securing the alternator cradle to the sump; the threads in the ally sump are ancient and very easily stripped. Make sure the pulleys are properly in line or the belts can turn over or get thrown off. A new belt (or set) should be run-in at high revs for at least 15 minutes and the tension then rechecked for the same reason.

Take the opportunity to check the condition of the radiator fan at the same time, it is now getting difficult to get these refurbished due to lack of demand. A damaged fan is quite capable of being responsible for the eventual fracture of a crankshaft if neglected.