{"product_id":"empi-pulley-shims-for-billet-alternator-generator-pulleys-set-of-5-air-cooled-vw-16-9709-0","title":"EMPI Pulley Shims for Billet Alternator \/ Generator Pulleys | Air-Cooled VW | Set of 5 (16-9709-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eEMPI Pulley Shims for Billet Alternator \/ Generator Pulleys — Set of 5 (16-9709-0)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cb\u003eset of five replacement shims\u003c\/b\u003e for EMPI billet aluminum alternator and generator pulleys. On an air-cooled VW, these small spacers are what actually sets your fan belt tension — and they are the part that gets lost on the shop floor, left in the old pulley, or worn thin after years of belt changes. Keep a set in the toolbox.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe VW alternator\/generator pulley is a two-piece design: the belt runs in the V between an inner and outer half, and the shims stack between those halves. Add shims and the halves sit farther apart, so the belt rides deeper in the groove and slackens. Remove shims and the halves close up, the belt rides higher, and tension increases. That is the entire adjustment — there is no tensioner on these engines. Leftover shims go on \u003ci\u003eoutside\u003c\/i\u003e the outer half, under the nut, so they stay with the car for the next belt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFits These EMPI Billet Pulleys\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e16-9706-0:\u003c\/b\u003e Billet Alternator \/ Generator Pulley Kit — Black Anodized\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e16-9707-0:\u003c\/b\u003e Billet Alternator \/ Generator Pulley Kit — Polished\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e18-1080-0:\u003c\/b\u003e Billet Alternator Pulley — Blue Anodized\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e18-1081-0:\u003c\/b\u003e Billet Alternator Pulley — Red Anodized\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eImportant:\u003c\/b\u003e These are machined specifically for EMPI \u003ci\u003ebillet\u003c\/i\u003e pulleys. They are not the correct shim for a stock stamped-steel VW pulley — the inside diameter and thickness differ.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Beetle \u0026amp; Super Beetle:\u003c\/b\u003e All years, wherever an EMPI billet pulley is fitted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia:\u003c\/b\u003e All years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Bus \/ Transporter (Type 2):\u003c\/b\u003e All years, Type 1 upright engine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Thing (Type 181) \u0026amp; Type 3:\u003c\/b\u003e All years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDune buggy, Baja, sandrail \u0026amp; kit car:\u003c\/b\u003e Any Type 1-based build running an EMPI billet pulley\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFive per set:\u003c\/b\u003e Enough range to dial in belt tension on a fresh install and still have spares stored under the nut.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCorrect for billet pulleys:\u003c\/b\u003e Machined to the EMPI billet pulley bore and face — no slop, no hanging up on the shaft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRestores proper tension:\u003c\/b\u003e A belt that squeals, walks, or slips is usually a shim problem, not a belt problem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCheap insurance:\u003c\/b\u003e Missing shims mean either an over-tight belt chewing the alternator bearing, or a slipping belt that undercharges and overheats the engine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePart Number:\u003c\/b\u003e 16-9709-0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e EMPI\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold As:\u003c\/b\u003e Set of 5 shims\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCompatibility:\u003c\/b\u003e EMPI billet pulleys 16-9706-0, 16-9707-0, 18-1080-0, 18-1081-0 only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUPC:\u003c\/b\u003e 707924354829\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstallation Tips\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSet tension by feel, not by spec:\u003c\/b\u003e A correctly tensioned VW fan belt deflects roughly half an inch under firm thumb pressure at the midpoint of its longest run.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eToo loose? Remove a shim.\u003c\/b\u003e Too tight? Add one. Change one shim at a time and re-check.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePark the spares under the nut:\u003c\/b\u003e Stack unused shims outside the outer pulley half before the washer and nut, so they travel with the car and are there for the next belt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDon't over-tighten to fix slip:\u003c\/b\u003e An over-tight belt kills the alternator front bearing. If the belt still slips with all shims out, the belt is worn or the wrong length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRe-check after the first heat cycle:\u003c\/b\u003e A new belt seats and stretches. Verify tension after the first good drive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow many shims come in the set?\u003c\/b\u003e Five. Part number 16-9709-0, UPC 707924354829.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhich pulleys do these fit?\u003c\/b\u003e EMPI billet alternator\/generator pulleys only — 16-9706-0 (black), 16-9707-0 (polished), 18-1080-0 (blue) and 18-1081-0 (red).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill these work on my stock VW pulley?\u003c\/b\u003e No. These are machined for EMPI billet pulleys. Stock stamped-steel pulleys use a different shim.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat do the shims actually do?\u003c\/b\u003e They set fan belt tension. Stacking more shims between the pulley halves lets the belt ride deeper and loosens it; removing shims tightens it. There is no belt tensioner on an air-cooled VW.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhere do the leftover shims go?\u003c\/b\u003e Outside the outer pulley half, under the washer and nut, so they stay with the car for the next belt change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo I need the nut and washer too?\u003c\/b\u003e Not usually — but if yours are galled or deformed, EMPI 16-9708-0 is the matching nut and washer set for these pulleys.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs this a genuine EMPI part?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes — Washburn's Metal is an authorized EMPI dealer, so this is a new genuine EMPI part, not a copy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWARNING:\u003c\/b\u003e This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information, go to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.P65Warnings.ca.gov\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewww.P65Warnings.ca.gov\u003c\/a\u003e. All parts legal for use on pre-pollution controlled vehicles only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinishing a charging system? Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ignition\"\u003eIgnition \u0026amp; Electrical\u003c\/a\u003e for alternators, generators, pulleys and stands, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/engine-tin-components\"\u003eEngine Tin \u0026amp; Components\u003c\/a\u003e for shrouds, backing plates and hardware, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/washburn-originals\"\u003eThe Washburn's Signature Series\u003c\/a\u003e for our full line of original VW restoration solutions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EMPI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45463858217075,"sku":"16-9709-0","price":15.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/16-9709-0.jpg?v=1788912959","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/empi-pulley-shims-for-billet-alternator-generator-pulleys-set-of-5-air-cooled-vw-16-9709-0","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}