Alternator pulley, generator pulley, 6 volt pulley-what is the difference?

[Brandon Sinclair]

I always wondered what the difference was between the different pullies-alternator, generator, 6 volt, 36 hp, etc...

Over the years I have used everything from the original German pullies with the tangs to aftermarket German, Brazilian and Mexican made pullies.  Besides possible depth differences in the way the pulley in manufactured is there a difference in the hole size or diameter of the pullies (I know the 356 pulley is much smaller).

I find it difficult when looking for a replacement pulley that there is no information on this and it is pretty much trial an error (ie fits loose or tight on the woodruff key or the belt is now too far forward or rearward).

[Jim Ratto]

use an OEM VW pulley. p/n 043 903 109
make sure you use a total of ten shims

most aftermarket pulleys suck

[Dave Rosique]

use an OEM VW pulley. p/n 043 903 109
make sure you use a total of ten shims

most aftermarket pulleys suck

DITTO!!

~~There's nothing more expensive than a cheap pulley~~

~DR.

[Brandon Sinclair]

What is the difference between the 12V, 40hp and 36hp pullies-diameter?

The last 12V German pulley I bought ended up being out of round!!

Where can I find an OEM one?  Thanks

[Jim Ratto]

What is the difference between the 12V, 40hp and 36hp pullies-diameter?

The last 12V German pulley I bought ended up being out of round!!

Where can I find an OEM one?  Thanks

offset is different

CB has OEM

[Brandon Sinclair]

Thanks Jim

[Dave Rosique]

Hi Brandon,

As Jim stated, offset is the main difference. I've been out of the VW biz for years but the different pulleys I can think of right now are 36 horse, 6 volt, and 12 volt--- three styles: 1) early style, halves lock together with tabs. 2) late style, halves lock on pulley hub. 3) 1971 type II only: The oddball pulley... cast iron back half, it may have it's own back spacing... the 71 type II had a longer generator... gen tin was different on that one too.

I've never run a 356 pulley on a VW. The 356 pulley is smaller than any of the VW pullrys, but the stock Porsche crank pulley is small-- only slightly larger than a VW power pulley.

I assume your car is 12 volt... I prefer the late style OEM VW pulley, loadrd with 10 shims, topped off with genuine VW pulley nut and hat driven by a quality full size crank pulley...

~Dave

 

[Zach Gomulka]

Chose a belt that allows you to put all 10 shims between the pulley halves, effectively making the pulley a smaller diameter and spinning the fan slightly faster.

[Sam K]

I've been running genuine mexican VW alternator pulley with fan thingy on it for the last couple years and I like it a lot.