For those who are running this setup, how difficult was it to put the belt on? I was currently using a gatorback belt before, i'm not sure what the size was but the belt was still screeching with the tensioner maxed out. This made me think that maybe the installer installed the wrong size belt with my smaller pulley.

So I attempted to change the belt to the 93inch gates belt I got from napa. With the tensioner loosened all the way, I still was not able to get the belt on. I tried to pry it on and I ended up damaging the belt so it was a gonner. You can imagine how much force I must've used. I have another spare that I'm going to try tomorrow but wanted to get any heads up on this.

I'm guessing the belt I was using before was the belt size used for the 3.33 pulley since maxing out my tensioner didn't seem to be tight enough. I was getting about 7PSI with my old belt.

Now if I i miraculously do get this new gates belt on, do I still have to tighten the tensioner since it would be so tight anyways?

 

this is the gates belt i'm trying to use:

http://napaonline.com/MasterPages/NO...t+-+Serpentine

 

This might have something to do with it, I am not sure tho... When I order the 93" from NAPA I get this belt always... It is a bit more expensive but it has lasted me for 40K+ miles... Try this one...

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...t+-+Serpentine

 

thanks triji.. I guess ill try and see if a local place has it tomorrow.

But shouldn't it be the same anyways since the belt size is the same?

 

Are you getting a 93" inner diameter or outer diameter belt?

 

hmm well it doesn't really say so I don't really know.

Imperial Length:93.585" (2377mm)
Top Width:.807" (20mm)
# of Ribs:6
Angle Degree:40 Degrees

 

Lazee,

I actually have a brand new 93" NAPA belt in my garage that I took off my car when I put on the GTM extra idler pulley and needed a longer belt for it... I'll take a pic of it in the AM and post it up here for you to see the actual number on it... It fit my set up with the 3.12 with no problems at all... They do take a little bit of work to get on but they do fit...

I put the belt on the left hand side of the engine bay first and around the SC pulley last... it seems to work out better for me.

 

Thanks, that'll be great.

 

Did you loosen the front idler/tensioner pulley bolt before loosening the tensioner bolt underneath? Just making sure.

 

yea i did.

 

Just try a 93.5" this time then. Although a 93" should work, not sure why its not fitting. Is it not even close to making it around everything? Are you looking at the diagram to make sure you have the correct belt route?

 

it is very close to fitting, just not quite. I have a diagram so thats not a problem at all.

How far are you guys to maxing out your tensioner when you tighten yours so I can get a general idea? Is there still a lot more you can turn on the tensioner?

 

You shouldn't turn it until you can't turn it anymore. Just turn it a couple half turns and check to see if you can twist the belt more than 90 deg. along the longest stretch of belt on top. If you can, tighten it until you can turn it 90 and no more.

I used to have the Gatorback and tightened it from time to time until the tensioner was only a couple turns away from being maxed out. I just replaced it with a new gates belt and I only had to turn it a few turns to get it tightened from full loose.

 

Sorry it took me forever to post the pic Lazee... was a busy day.

Here you go... This is the belt

 

thanks!