Engine My Gates K060845 (85 1/4”) belt doesn’t fit

[Mcmahst]

I removed the air pump from my 87 5.0, have AC and PS, and I researched on this site that a 85 1/4” belt would work, without having to buy an idler pulley to replace the air pump. What am I doing wrong? My belt path is exactly as stock, except the belt goes from the crank pulley to the Alt directly. Thank for the help.

 

[gkomo]

Doesn't it go up from the crank around the waterpump (to spin reverse) then over to the alternator? Then to the idler/tensioner then to AC then to PS back down to crank? I'm just thinking of how my 1990 is routed.

 

[Mcmahst]

My setup:



No, crank, WP, PS, AC, tensioner, Alt

 

[Mcmahst]

Even when I rotate the tensioner, it doesn’t give me much more belt.

 

[gkomo]

I think we are just describing the same routing but going different directions from the crank. Either way, may be best to use the string method. I'm on my 3rd serpentine belt (wasted money) when i probably should have just measured with a string from the get go.

 

[gkomo]

Your current belt looks pretty far off, almost like you'll need an inch or two longer belt. I can't help with your exact situation removing the SMOG pump and correct belt length, but i am currently in the process of trying different belts lengths for my setup to get it to work right.

 

[Mcmahst]

Ok, string measures 87 1/4 to 1/2” with the tensioner at full rest. How much do you typically remove for the tensioner?

 

[limp]

The local O'Reillys let me come back twice and exchange the belt for different sizes... They were really helpful... Said they do this all the time for people..

 

[Mcmahst]

I wonder if the local NAPA place would trade my Gates 85 1/4” belt? I remeasured, and the string is closer to 87”.

 

[AeroCoupe]

The length depends on whether or not you have under drive pulleys. I have them (they work fine for me) and the belt is a Gates Micro-V P/N K060837 and is 84-3/16" long. If you are running the stock pulleys then the belt will have to be longer. They vary all over the place due to tolerances, tensioner being about worn our or new, which pulleys you have, etc. Best way is a piece of string and then get that belt length, the one just shorter, and the one just longer. Try all three and hopefully one of them will put the tensioner in correct range.

 

[gkomo]

I wonder if the local NAPA place would trade my Gates 85 1/4” belt? I remeasured, and the string is closer to 87”.

As mentioned, parts stores are pretty good about exchanges on belts as long as you didn't run the car with the belt on. Worth trying a few different lengths out.

My problem is i'm chasing a squeal so i've ran my engine with the belts on (they all fit and tensioner is within 'range'), so now i have like 3 serpentine belts just hanging on my garage wall.

 

[Mcmahst]

So, I know the untensioned length, I just need an idea how much shorter than 87” would I need to accommodate the tensioner?

 

[Noobz347]

Geeze ya fat bastard. Lose some weight!

 

[limp]

If I recall correctly, a 1/2" in length makes a pretty big difference..

 

[Mcmahst]

Good input

 

[Mcmahst]

Well, 86.625” was the right length. And that’s the ID (ibside diameter), not the OD. I couldn’t find any parts store that would trade my belt for theirs. So, I’m now the proud owner of an 85 1/4” belt, if someone needs one.

 

[gkomo]

Ya i got a 88.9" (Cobra pulleys no s/c), , 89.5" (too short for cobra pulleys and s/c, cut it off so its trashed now), 90.31" (currently on the car, but squeals a little bit, with s/c), and 91.56" (stock length with stock pulleys, no s/c) belt just hanging around. My 90" belt should be here soon and hopefully that's the last one. Glad you used the string method before wasting a bunch of money like i did.... still not sure why i didn't just go straight to the string method, would have saved me buying two belts.

 

[Mcmahst]

It took me 2 hours to find the dam string. But I’m glad this issue is closed.