V-belts

[M in KC]

I changed the v-belts on my 'finder ('91 V6) over the holiday. Is it just me or is replacement alt. belt too long. The parts house matched up the same belt number that I had on there. I swear I'm at the end of the tensioner's limit after I installed it. And no I didn't over tighten it it has about 3/4-1" of deflection on the longest run between pullies. It's not slipping but I haven't put enough miles on it to break it in yet either. Just wondering.

 

Mike

[k9sar]

hmmm.... I replaced mine with ACDelco belts and they fit perfect.

[GrimGreg]

I used a stock Nissan belt from the dealer last time and it seamed almost too small.

 

(Sounds like the story of the three bears )

[Animal]

So I'm not the only one. My wife picked up belts for my '92 and the alt belt was too short so I went to another shop and got one, but it was too long. Lastly, I ordered one online that waiting to be tested.

Apparently the belt must be an exact match. If the part numbers are the same and it is still too long, my guess is that the manufacturer of the replacement is out of spec.

[GrimGreg]

All I had to do to fit the small one on mine was back off the adjuster completely to slip the belt on.

[88pathoffroad]

You guys know you can get v-belts in different lengths, right? You can get 'em in 5mm increments, longer or shorter. Just ask the parts guy for one that's 5mm shorter or longer next time.

[GrimGreg]

NSS

[88pathoffroad]

Hey, not everybody's quite as experienced at sourcing different length belts as you and I are.

[GrimGreg]

Probably true.

 

What's fun is when the guy at the parts counter feels lazy and makes you go pick your own parts out of the back room since you want something different.

[M in KC]

Thanks for all the insite. I knew you could buy belts in incremental length differences. I was just hoping someone already had some other possible belt numbers. So I guess when this one starts to squeel I'll be starting a little R&D project for either a shorter belt or an alternator bracket shrinker.

 

Mike

[k9sar]

So I guess when this one starts to squeel I'll be starting a little R&D project for either a shorter belt or an alternator bracket shrinker.

just hit it with a little WD40, That'll stop it from squeeling. :D

[Animal]

You guys know you can get v-belts in different lengths, right?

Well, at least in my case, the short belt was purchased by my wife. The Nissan numbers don't match GY's Gatorback, so it may take a few trial and error attempts to figure the numbers (without the secret decoder ring), so initially I mistakenly tend to depend on the look-up at the parts store. What is strange is that there doesn't seem to be a problem with the other two belts, just the altenator. :confused:

 

What's fun is when the guy at the parts counter feels lazy and makes you go pick your own parts out of the back room...

Actually I miss the days when all the parts were on the floor and you could pick out your own. I trust myself more than the $5/hour dropouts at Autozone.

[GrimGreg]

The AutoZone I go to actually has some good guys working there, but I know what you mean, been to a few that they were lost without the computer and a part #.