pulleys installed - belt too tight?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
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From: Hazel Park MI
pulleys installed - belt too tight?
TPIS pulley set installed on '85 4+3. Any way to test belt tightness aside from a tensioner gauge? The tensioner is in the same position as stock, the belt is what was recommended. It feels quite a bit more snug than the original. What would be some signs of belt tightness upon starting? :seeya
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: NYC NY
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (jmrl98)
Maybe the new belt is just less pliable, so it seems tighter? After driving around a while maybe it will feel more like the original? I would think, unless something has happened to the tensioner, that it would not get overly tight.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (jmrl98)
I would rely on the tensioner marks.
I was told it's better to have one too loose than too tight (I couldn't find the exact size I needed) so that the tensioner can do it's job. Whereas if too tight it could cause fatigue in brackets or tensioner.
I was told it's better to have one too loose than too tight (I couldn't find the exact size I needed) so that the tensioner can do it's job. Whereas if too tight it could cause fatigue in brackets or tensioner.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
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From: Hazel Park MI
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (65Z01)
65Z01, I was hoping you're out there. I think you mentioned to me before that you couldn't get your alternator nut off until the alt. died. I got mine off, but the directioons said to use power tools, and I didn't. I hope I didn't jack up the alternator. I haven't started it yet, fearing the worst. I've never put a belt on a vette before, and it took a few tries to get the belt over the tensioner. The tensioner is in thet same place as before, but the directions stated thet belt should "slip" around the pulleys, and this did not "slip" around the tensioner. So if the belt is too tight it would choke the engine? :confused:
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Berlin Maryland
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (jmrl98)
If the belt is to tight it could mess up the bearings on the alternator and the power steering pump + everything else that has a little wear. :eek: :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (jmrl98)
If the tensioner position seems normal, just drive the car a few days at a moderate pace. Then check the belt before you start the car each day, and compare that with the way it feels after you've driven it during the day. Did you check to see if the old belt and the new one are the same lenght, or did you have to get a shorter belt due to the pulley changes?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (jmrl98)
So you put an under drive crank and an over drive alt pulley set on. So long as you got the alt pulley nut tight I wouldn't worry about it. Put a little lock tite on if you're concerned.
When I finally had the alt over drive pulley installed I could only get a belt that was way tight (couldn't bet it on even with a screwdriver as a prybar) and one that put the tensioner very near it's loosest markings.
My prior belt was put on with the screwdriver pry over the A/C pulley and was very near the tensioner tight limit.
So long as the pulleys are tight and the belt over all pulleys you should be able to start her up and see how it behaves. Since the tensioner is still between the marks and in fact where it was before, it should be fine. Don't worry about that caution in the instructions.
When I finally had the alt over drive pulley installed I could only get a belt that was way tight (couldn't bet it on even with a screwdriver as a prybar) and one that put the tensioner very near it's loosest markings.
My prior belt was put on with the screwdriver pry over the A/C pulley and was very near the tensioner tight limit.
So long as the pulleys are tight and the belt over all pulleys you should be able to start her up and see how it behaves. Since the tensioner is still between the marks and in fact where it was before, it should be fine. Don't worry about that caution in the instructions.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
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From: Hillsboro OR
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (jmrl98)
The tensioner determines how much side force is exerted on the accessories. As long as the tensioner is within adjustment range marked by the factory, the accessories and front main bearing will be fine.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Owensboro Ky
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (fixvet)
Hello Fixvet: I know this is way off subject, but I noticed you car on CorvettteMagazine.com and just wanted to say CONGRATS! Ok, now I've done that, I'll let you get back to helping the mass'. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
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From: Hazel Park MI
Re: pulleys installed - belt too tight? (ZAD54)
Thanks for all the help, gentlemen. My belt paranoia is gone now - everything is running smooth if not better than before. I also installed the MSD 6AL prior to the pulleys, and I picked up considerable pull through the 4500 RPM mark. I know some of us have stated they saw no gains with the MSD or the pulleys. I saw a gain in response and power throughout the 4k-5k RPM band with just the MSD, and even larger with the pulleys. These are both easy, sure-fire mods that everyone should add to their arsenal! Of course, that's just my opinion based on my own results. :cheers: :seeya
