Serpentine Belt Help NEEDED
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
Serpentine Belt Help NEEDED
I recently picked up a new Goodyear "Gatorback" belt. No matter how much I pull up the tensioner it will not go on. I believe it is correct but it does not have the "ribs" that fit down in the pulleys rather is is "hatched" and supposed to be very quiet. Anyone have any experience with this?
Also, anyone know if you can buy a coolant temp senor at the local parts store or do you have to go to GM?
Also, anyone know if you can buy a coolant temp senor at the local parts store or do you have to go to GM?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
my 87 rib, belt rib, and not sure on your 96, but you push the tensioner down to release and the spring back puts tension on the belt... so don't understand the "pull up the tensioner"... sounds like you may have the belt on wrong, usually the rad cover has the belt route...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1629119
Read the first post and then check the length of the belt you purchased. As for the coolant sensor, check at the local autoparts stores, chevy dealer, and Ecklers/Mid America....for the best price. I got one from Eclkers plus shipping for cheaper than the others.
Read the first post and then check the length of the belt you purchased. As for the coolant sensor, check at the local autoparts stores, chevy dealer, and Ecklers/Mid America....for the best price. I got one from Eclkers plus shipping for cheaper than the others.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Many a thread has been written about this. I purchased a serpentine belt tool at Summit Racing. That tool makes the install alot easier. You must move the belt tensioner ALL the way down until it bottoms.
Make sure the belt is the correct size. Try again. Sometimes its a fight.
Make sure the belt is the correct size. Try again. Sometimes its a fight.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Coolant temp sensor - The one on the waterpump I got from NAPA.
Can't help on the serpentine, my double sided went right on when I replaced it.
Can't help on the serpentine, my double sided went right on when I replaced it.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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You can find the coolant temp sensor at AutoZone, NAPA, or PepBoys stores, too. Get a helper to assist you with the tensioner while you route the belt. Makes it easier to install until you get the hang of it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Houston PA
I could not get that gatorback on mine either. I kept putting the old one back on, thinking I was doing something wrong. Ended up getting the Advance auto belt, which was cheaper, and went right on like the old belt, which was cracked.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
First - thanks all, I thought it was just me.
On my car the tensioner has to be pulled UP as the belt runs underneath it. I actually made a tool using an old wrench to gain some leverage on it. I will try NAPA next, the first one was from Schucks. This car is fiting me every step of the way (I just did the opti spark deal). Hopefully it is squared away now, I installed new opti spark, MSD cap and rotor, MSD coil, new water pump, MSD 8.5mm wires. etc.
On my car the tensioner has to be pulled UP as the belt runs underneath it. I actually made a tool using an old wrench to gain some leverage on it. I will try NAPA next, the first one was from Schucks. This car is fiting me every step of the way (I just did the opti spark deal). Hopefully it is squared away now, I installed new opti spark, MSD cap and rotor, MSD coil, new water pump, MSD 8.5mm wires. etc.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
how true!! in addition I broke the coolant temp sensor top off so I was really getting upset. I just hope everything seals ok. The car was so grimy under there it was unbelievable. I think I scraped, wiped and cleaned about 200 lbs of dirt off the front of the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Sun City West Az
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Gates Micro-V part number: K060670
21mm x 1715mm O.C.
I know for sure the above belt fits just fine on an LT4, because that is what I am using.
21mm x 1715mm O.C.
I know for sure the above belt fits just fine on an LT4, because that is what I am using.