Please help me with my belt problem!

I have a 1989 Mustang GT. The A/C has been removed using the Ford Racing A/C eliminator which moves the power steering pump up. I've also eliminated the smog pump and associated pieces. I'm using a 72-inch belt as the 73" normally suggested was too long.

The problem is that the tensioner pulley pushes the top of the belt down far enough that it's only 1/4" from touching the belt surface that runs right underneath it.

The red circled part in the picture is where I'm talking about.



So what are my options? A shorter belt just won't go on there. I force-fit a 71.5" belt on by removing the alternator mounting bolts, but I couldn't get the tensioner on it, even with the alternator floating loose.

Is there a smaller water pump pulley available? Do I have to install a smog pump eliminator pulley?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mustang5L5 said:

No need to buy additional pieces or modify anything. You need to reroute the belt differently. Red belt is what you want to follow. Pullies still rotate the same direction but now there is no clearance probs.

Where did you get that other pic showing the belt routing? On the vast majority of car, it will cause rubbing exactly where it's circled

Click to expand...

The picture came from the cjponyparts tech section - I added the red circle. I found out about routing the belt the way you showed and I'm working on trying that.

The PS pump uses a fairly large pulley and the suggested 70.5" belt won't come close to fitting. In fact, I had a 73" and it was still too short. I'm picking up a 73.5" tonight and hopefully that will fit.