Gates Vs. Paccar Serpentine Belt (Which is better?)

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by TheBaron97, Nov 23, 2020.

  1. TheBaron97

    TheBaron97 Light Load Member

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    Pretty straightforward, I have a Peterbilt 379 with a C15 and the Serpentine belt needs replacement. Wallwork charged me $159.49 for their genuine Paccar belt, but NAPA only charged me $72.08 for their green Gates brand belt. The belts seem the same in terms of width and length, and also have the same number of grooves in them. But why the price difference? Anyone have any experience with this? Pics included. Thanks.
     

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  3. 6cuda6

    6cuda6 Light Load Member

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    Part of the difference is the mark up.....OEM is usually 300%. The other difference, if you look real close at the ribbing you see that the Pac belt ribs have more taper and almost come to a point were as the NAPA belt is more square.....i bet if you measure the depth of the rib grooves the OEM is deeper as well.
    Which is better will depend on performance really......if you get more than half the mileage life of the OEM i guess the NAPA is a better value [providing your not paying to have it replaced of course]. Pays your moneys, you takes your chances as they say....lol.
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2020
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  4. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    You will find that a lot of oe belts for the US are made by Gates and branded and numbered for the individual customers. Cummins branded belts used to be.
    Dayco and Gates are the two biggest suppliers.
     
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  5. TheBaron97

    TheBaron97 Light Load Member

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    I found a Paccar belt on eBay brand new for $50 plus shipping so I decided to go with it, because why not. But by all means if anyone else has any more input to add to this thread for anyone else that has the same question in the future, feel free to add it.
     
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  6. kwswan

    kwswan Road Train Member

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    I wouldn't be afraid of using a Gates brand belt on anything.
     
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  7. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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    Have used both in our fleet, Paccar lasts longer than the Gates HD fleet runner. The Continental Gatorbacks worked great, but are harder to get nowadays.
     
  8. A5¢

    A5¢ Medium Load Member

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    Made in the USA and made in Mexico, might be part of it as well.
     
  9. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Someone makes them for paacar. Gates, Dayton, or ? Gates for me, all the way, belts and hoses. Main thing is they’re fresh and soft. Not old and dried out.
     
  10. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    I had a Honda(car) some years ago that I did a timing belt on and threw on accessory belts for good measure. I think is was Dayco brand at the time. Stupid thing kept shredding alternator belts ever since I touched it. Yup......even gates. I tried every belt I could think of.

    Finally after new pulleys and still mucked, I tossed an OE belt at it. Never heard from it again.

    Are all belts created equal, I think not.......For this reason I try to use OE parts if I can. Sometimes your better off.
     
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  11. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Wow, never would have thunk it.
     
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