I had a Forced Airmotive Technologies (FAT) supercharger installed on my C-182 nearly 15 years ago. i have generally been very happy with it.

Recently the multigroove drive belt departed the system. Rod Sage, founder and chief engineer of FAT, passed away last year and the company is reported to have ceased operations. That's a concern going forward.

But for now, I just need a replacement belt! Can anyone in the braintrust provide a source for such? The STC parts list only provides a FAT part number, not the commercial source. Is certainly is a commercially available part, but how would I track it down since the old belt, and any helpful markings, have departed the premises.

Find someone who has a similar system and get a number off of their belt….it has to be a Gates belt of some kind.

It’s a flat belt? Like a fan belt on a car? Serpentine?

They’re called micro v belts. Specing those aren’t bad, the length is the hardest bit to figure out.

https://www.gatestechzone.com/en/news/2 ... cro-v-belt

Yes, its a flat belt with several (I'd have to look at the drive pully) grooves. The FAT part number is 182LR441-M3.

Here is what AI tells us…..from that info. I’d bet on the 3-rib version (V-Belt): A classic Hi-Power II V-belt.
K030441: A 3-rib version of the 44-9/16 inch Micro-V belt

Autozone has them for $32.99 ….get one and try it out….if no bueno return it.

Take it to the aviation isle at NAPA. They will likely be able to measure it for you and match it to the appropriate non-aviation part number. (IE the same belt)

I looked online for some pictures, but can't tell what the belt routing is. If you do not have the old belt, I'd lace some string or rope along the belt path and account for any tensioner adjustments to get an approximate length. Then go to the most understanding auto parts store and get three belts of slightly different lengths in that measured range.

Helpful personnel at the auto stores are hard to come by these days, but hopefully a few pictures of the serpentine pulleys and their width can narrow you down to a specific type like Max and Rick are pointing you toward, then the variety of lengths will find the best off-the-shelf fit for you.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBH25060441?srsltid=AfmBOoqeKvg-Ml1GDsMUfzQb4E6rVU6piIszvSknQuxN6IcfqazfTEWc

The Napa interchange part.

I don't have the old belt. It, and Elvis, left the premises, hence, I don't have a length or any markings from the old belt. So the challenge is to find the right replacement starting cold. There's an NAPA store 10 minutes from my airport. I'll start there.

...

Oooo, that's that great hint. Looks like the one pictured is for the O470U engine. I have an O470R, so I'm guessing I need FAT 182LR441-MU, and the corresponding Gates number. Off to NAPA we go.

Well….that was easy.

Nope, the hunt goes on. The above pictured belt is an older version of the STC with a 3 rib belt. IIRC, my pulleys have 4 grooves/5 ribs.

I'm guessing I need the Gates equivalent of the FAT 182LR440-M. That part number likely describes the Cessna 182, TCM O470L and O470R, a 440 length, and I'm guessing the M specifies 4 grooves/5 ribs type. Looks like it could be a Gates K050440. If it's the 3 rib flavor, likely the Gates K030441. My A&P is pondering it now….

There’s a member here, Keith Joseph, that has/had one on a 182.

Additionally, poking around the internet yielded contact info for someone who might know…

Yup, I found and read that article. Gonna try a call to the contact Boyd Gallaher tomorrow.