the mechanic who's doing the install of my M7 noticed that with the pulley installed, the belt will misalign by 1 rib (when revved to 2k rpm upon 1st starting the Mini)

the M7 pulley comes with 4 1" bolts. the mechanic told me to get 2 2" bolts (of the same kind that came with the M7 package) so as to get everything aligned

a friend however said it could've been possible that the pulley wasn't fully in the shaft, and that when fully inserted, the pulley should be self-aligning

any inputs?

 

The pulley is self-aligning, and if installed correctly, will have no issues. Your friend is correct in saying that it wasn't completely on the shaft.

I wouldn't use bolts that are longer than what came with the pulley, (especially just two?) I aslo don't see how a longer bolt will line it up any different.

 

A guess here, but I think the two longer bolts are for extracting the pulley.

 

... are you sure he is? Sorry, but I hope this guy comes real cheap.

 

the little platic thinggy is still in the end of the SC shaft. The two bolts are to get the pulley off to fix it. Don't get cheap hardware, or it will break (ask me how I know....)

Matt

 

I would get a pulley removal tool to remove the pulley
and only remove it that way.
Using two bults is a bad idea since they will be creating
uneaven tension on the shaft upon removal.
This will damage the shaft as well as the pulley.
You will also run the risk of ruining your engine while
the bults create pressure to pop off the pulley.

Good luck

 

If the pulley is a two piece like the Alta then the longer screws will just seperate the two pieces of the pulley. If you go slow and are careful it should be alright.

Either way, good luck!

Nik

 

On collet style pulleys like the one mini macky has installed, there are two holes designated for separating the pulley hub from the clamping collet. Two bolts of the same diameter and thread pitch of the main fasteners, but longer in length, are threaded into these holes (the other fasteners are removed) to create even separating force between the two halves. If there is resistance, then screw the main fasteners in their mounting holes to within a couple of threads from tight, and then lightly tap the heads, unscrew those fasteners and try again with the separating bolts.

In the below photo I’m using bicycle wheel quick release skewers (they have the correct thread pitch for Alta’s fasteners) to perform the same function.

 

Yes don't get all worked up. Just take your time and use the correct bolts. Assuming nothing other than the alignment is/was off (from the plastic cap is a likely culprit but may not be the case as most of us remove it during pulley pulling) you should be able to simply correct the problem, slide the pulley back on and enjoy motoring. Maybe this was the "mechanics" first go at a MCS pulley and he got nervous. No big deal! Let us all know how it goes!

 

thanks for the input guys. after this post, i'll be going to the shop to give the 2 2" bolts that the mechanic told me to buy

i went to the shop twice yesterday, 1st time at 3pm (m7 pulley was in), 2nd time at 7pm to supposedly pick up the car (m7 pulley was already out). so no issues with the pulley removal.

talked to one of the part owners of the shop a while ago, and he clarified the issue with me. he said that the mechanic needed the 2 longer bolts to separate the hub piece from the pulley (he apparently put the hub piece on the pulley before inserting it into the shaft) which could be the reason why the pulley isn't fully inserted in to the shaft hance causing the belt to move out by 1 rib

hopefully i get my Mini this evening. keeping my fingers crossed

we don't have Mini-specific garages here in the Philippines, but the shop where i'm having my Mini done is very reputable and has done pulley changes on some Minis already

 

This explains what happened perfectly. The bore had already been compressed, and it couldn't seat. They should offer you a hearty apology, because they obviously didn't read any install instructions.

Matt

 

in fairness to the shop, i didn't provide any install instructions. i had the pulley shipped to a freight forwarder together with a bunch of stuff, so they put everything i bought in 1 big box and shipped it here to the philippines. the instructions for the pulley could've been left inside the disposed box. the m7 website doesn't have the install instructions. and of course, i assumed that they knew what they were doing coz i'm mechanically stupid and they've done it before

UPDATE:

it took a while to get the pulley to be fully pressed against the hub piece but it was done withough excessive force (i was there to inspect the install) i'm now happy to report that there are NO more pulley-related problems (keeping my fingers crossed)

for those who have the M7 pulley and kept the stock length s/c belt, do your belts making a whining noise (a loud pitched noise during idle) after cold starting and then becomes barely audible when the engine is in optimal temp?

 

If you're gonna keep your mini for a while, get a belt tensioner tool. Belts are cheap and easy to change. IF your car ran with the pulley out of alignement, it could have frayed the edges of the belt.

Also, since the belt is so key to the car, always keep a spare at home, or tucked into one of the rear cubbies. IT goes, the car doesn't stop, but all the dash lights come on, power drops, and if you keep running the car, it will overheat.

Matt

 

Dr. O: you sure know a lot about when things go wrong! surely it is from exhaustive research.

 

and a unique ability to go places without fear or knowldege, I discover a lot of this stuff the hard way.....

But I also am a social beast, so I chat with everyone. I just remember a lot of this stuff.

Matt

 

I was gonna say.

And then you blow a head gasket and get around to installing the aftermarket head you've had sitting around for a few months collecting dust.

 

then you drive home from the track all happy that someone else had a pulley tensioner tool and an extra belt. Then you do some more work on your car and blow the head gasket, then get lucky that the head that had been at Endyn for well over 6 months shows up that very week!

But you were close.

Also, I'm 44, and have been working on cars to some degree or another since I was about 14. That's a lot of learning, even when you take into account everything I've forgotten!

Matt

 

Dr.O: i appreciate you sharing w/ us all of the things that you haven't forgotten!

 

before you take my advice completely to heart!

Matt

ps Thanks for the thanks! It's nice when kindness is noticed here.