Any personal experiences/opinions on Gates brand of A/C and Alt belts...?

Gates is a leading manufacturer of belts - however, the belts I have had the fewest maintenance problems with have been GoodYear GatorBack belts. Sometimes a little hard to find, but definitely worth the hunt.

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Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com
1988 Red Fiero Formula Convertible
*Desktop Photo Here*

I like Gatorbacks too... Scared me to death the first time I put one on though! The tread on the back makes a whirring sound that made me think something was wrong!

Nothing wrong with Gates though. They are inexpensive, easy to find, and work very well.

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3rd Annual California Coast Run, November 11-13, 2005

Thanks... Just wanted to make sure they weren't "el-crappo"

Not sure if its of any help, but ZZP says they get less belt slip with gates belts over the gatorbacks, but the gatorback belts are the best overall belts that they have used.

Back when I ran a 2.8 the gatorback was the BEST belt I ever had on the car.

quote Originally posted by Songman: I like Gatorbacks too... Scared me to death the first time I put one on though! The tread on the back makes a whirring sound that made me think something was wrong! Nothing wrong with Gates though. They are inexpensive, easy to find, and work very well.

Tell me about it. I put a Gatorback belt on my Formula and heard the whirring sound... then looked at the package with big bold letters saying "The Quiet Belt" Yeah, right.

Gatorbacks are my first choice. Gates would be my second.

I believe Gates is OEM on some new vehicles GM produces

Yes - That Bill Gates; he wasn't satisfied heading up Microsoft; now he makes Belts too. Ed

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I have used Gates on my SC3800II with no slippage, or problems at all for the past two years. I am happy with them, especially when you consider the price compared to Gatorbacks.

I wound up with Gates only because I could not find a Gatorback in the size I needed, so I gave the Gates a try. I will buy Gates again if needed.

The gaterback belts are really only better, in belt routing that has the beld bending backwards. Thats why they have the sidways slits in them.
In a fiero V6 the belt isnt doing this, so it may not be worth getting a gaterback.... unless you just like having a goodyearl

New belt seems ok, thanks guys.

quote Originally posted by zMacK: The gaterback belts are really only better, in belt routing that has the beld bending backwards. Thats why they have the sidways slits in them. In a fiero V6 the belt isnt doing this, so it may not be worth getting a gaterback.... unless you just like having a goodyearl

Gates is an excellent brand, but in multiple years of experience, the Gatorbacks hold longer without slipping over time, and slip/squeal far, far less (even none at all) in wet weather than Gates (or any other smooth) belt.