V-Belt; Synchronous Belt (also commonly referred to as timing belt) V-belt is a friction device and works on the principle of the wedge. It relies on tension to create friction on the sidewall of the sheave to transmit power. V-belts allow slippage which can be desirable and intended in drive design. Timing belts are located outside the engine, and timing chains are on the inside, where the engine oil can lubricate them. In the cutaway image of the V8 engine above, the timing chain isn’t the twisting belt on the left at the front of the engine. It’s barely visible just to the right of the belt’s oversized black exterior pulleys, where First, we learned what are these belts and what are the different types of car belts. As we can recall, there are timing belts, V-belts, and serpentine belts. The timing belt is used to drive the engine while the V-belts and serpentine belts are used to run accessories like the A/C system, water pump, alternator, and other important components Newer engines with belts have very long replacement intervals, and at the same time chains seem to have gotten flimsier and less durable. And fixing a stretched chain along with all the worn sprockets is a lot more expensive than replacing a belt. 13. xdrift0rx • 1 yr. ago. New chain engines all seem to have tensioner issues as things stretch Gear drives are used to drive many components than can't be trusted with a chain or belt. A correctly designed gear drive is equal to, or better than a TC or belt. Bet your ass if I degree in my gear drive and make 100 passes, the timing will be EXACTLY where I timed it. A chain is worn out when it has 2 heat cycles. V-belts may wear to the point that they lose chunks of rubber and begin making strange knocking noises that sound a lot more serious than a belt issue. Look for cracks or highly polished areas on the pulley side of the belt. V-belts come in different widths and the length of the replacement belt (as with serpentine belts) must be correct. These belts have an elastic core that is designed to keep tension on the pulleys. Stretch belts are designed to stretch over one of the pulleys during installation, usually the crank or the largest pulley. Never use a screwdriver or other sharp object to install the belt because if the belt is cut or the surface or grooves of the pulleys are The serpentine belt is a V-belt with grooves cut into it longitudinally that match up with grooves in the pulleys. These grooves create a greater surface area for contact. Unlike the timing belt, some slippage by the serpentine belt can occur, although it will squeal or whine if the belt is worn out or loose. PYuYXn.