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Serpentine belt after 3g alternator swap

  • Thread starter Thread starter boostfrk
  • Start date Start date May 2, 2012

boostfrk

10 Year Member
Aug 30, 2011
712
69
59
Colorado
May 2, 2012
#1
  • May 2, 2012
  • #1
So I finished up the swap to a 3G alternator last night, and this alternator pulley is slightly larger than the pulley on the stock 2g. I can fit the serpentine belt on, although the tensioner isn't released quite as far as it was before (obviously). I'm thinking since the tensioner is an automatic tensioner, that as long as I can fit the belt on without any issue then I should be good to go? I was expecting to have to buy a little bit longer belt, but it seems that regardless of belt length (within reason of course) the tension on the belt will always be the same as it's imposed by the automatic tensioner.

Am I on the right track here?
 

JasinC19

What hole is this!?!
Jun 7, 2011
312
2
19
May 2, 2012
#2
  • May 2, 2012
  • #2
After I installed my 3g alternator from PA Performance, I had no issues with stock-length belt. Just my experience.
 

David Pepiton

Active Member
Dec 17, 2011
662
68
49
Laveen, Arizona
May 2, 2012
#3
  • May 2, 2012
  • #3
I used the sock belt with a stock 3g from a 3.8 stang even with a smaller pulley on my alternator.


http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/3g-belt-length.856328/

you didnt even have to search

the answer is duct tape btw
 

boostfrk

10 Year Member
Aug 30, 2011
712
69
59
Colorado
May 2, 2012
#4
  • May 2, 2012
  • #4
10-4, that's what I thought I just needed a sanity check.

Unfortunately the alternator I got has bad bearings it appears. You can't turn the pulley by hand, but sometimes it breaks loose a bit and when it does there's a terrible screeching/metal on metal sound.
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
2,283
524
164
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
May 2, 2012
#5
  • May 2, 2012
  • #5
The tensioner has a range gauge. The pointer only needs to be within the range, outside of, you need a different belt length.
 
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