1863 deck belt pulley
 

I was able to mow a few minutes with the 1863 this morning though most of my grass is dead. I believe I have found the problem the PO had tearing up belts. The left belt pulley has a dent in it (in picture) and is not in line with the PTO or the deck pulley. The arm that holds the pulley seams to be bent allowing the pulley to be a little pigeon towed to the belt and frame. Should I attempt to straighten the pulley and bend the arm that holds it?
Cannon

Either replace the pulley or try to bend it back, but don't bend the arms...as you can see in the second picture, it's perfectly in line with the deck, so leave it alone. That's the way it came from the factory.

I second trying to straighten the pulley, not the shaft. The deck on my 1862 had a similar bend in a pulley, it was slightly deeper but didn't extend around the pulley as far as yours. I was able to get it pretty close with some vice grips and a little tapping with a hammer and a backing block. If you make any rough spots on the tapered portion of the pulley during the straightening process do your best to get them as smooth as possible, usually a little file work and some fine sandpaper will do the trick.

I think the best thing to do is spend $20 and replace the pulley. There is a good chance that the bearing is shot on the one you have.

I straightened the pulley and mowed about 20 minutes, It seemed to work fine. Thanks
Cannon