If you remove the tensioner and the belt fits nice and loose then you have to adjust the tensioner so that it tightens the belt. Should not be that hard to work out, just use whatever belt you like and modify the tensioner to fit. I didn't get an answer but do the other 2 have belts on them or is this the reason the PO got rid of them because he couldn't get belts to fit
Yes, I understand how it 'should' be - but as I said I have literally tried M36, M36K, M37 and M38 belts - and none seem to work correctly. So please understand that unfortunately it is not as simple as it seems. I can only assure you 'd prefer to do just about anything else than spinning my and your wheels on this.
Again it's not just as simple as 'well just modify the tensioner' - I get what you're saying and in other situations perhaps one could but I'm not at that point yet.
I believe I did answer you, I was not clear what you meant by was there belts on them. There are currently no fuinctional belts on any of the 3 550's I have - they came with 2 very clapped out belts - one which appears to be a very worn and stretched M36 - the other I cannot read. They work well for a very short period with the best of these two on. But they end up having issues. As mentioned a number of times when I try the M36 it's just incredibly tight and cannot be the correct belt - you cannot move the tensioner even a few mm - so engaging and disengaging the drive is near impossible.
I can't comment on why the PO sold them - my understanding was his late father loved them, bought up about a half dozen of them from the local council surplus - but he had to make room in his shed after his dad died. Beyond that I'd be guessing. :-)
