Alt & A/C Belt Help!

[JRA2000TL]

I feel really stupid....but I cannot get this new belt on my 95. I decided to change belts as preventative maintenance before the convention. I have loosened the tensioner pulley until it almost falls off (even tried installing it w/ the pulley off). I've loosened the 5mm hex nut/jack screw as far as it will go (it won't turn anymore). I've routed the belt around the crank pulley, under the tensioner pulley, and around the a/c compressor....now it's just a hair too short to go over the alternator. It's the Gates # K060445 belt, which is what I just put on the 89. What is the deal with this not wanting to go on?

FWIW, the old belt goes back on fine; I tried to reinstall it.

 

[SHO1]

You just did this on the '89, right, so I assume you're doing it right? I don't know what the # is supposed to be, but does the belt # match the package #, maybe a mismatch? Or maybe the tensioner isn't getting as loose as it should?

 

[JRA2000TL]

Yep, checked the # on RockAuto, checked the # on the belt and the package. I did just do this on the 89 w/o issue. I changed the p/s belt and I just said eff it and put the old alt belt back on for now. I get a squealing, and after tightening the alt belt almost TOO tight, I still have a chirp....great. Now I get to pull out the battery and tray again and fight to get to that back tensioner and tighten it a little more if I can. Doing belts on these cars is a royal PITA. I hate it.

 

[kevinspann]

Weird. The other motor I have here has a K060441 on it, and that seems to fit. Did you compare the old belt to the new belt?

 

[JRA2000TL]

Weird. The other motor I have here has a K060441 on it, and that seems to fit. Did you compare the old belt to the new belt?

Yeah, they appear to be about the same, old belt may be a hair larger, but belts stretch, so

No more squealing/chirping so whatever it was must have settled down....I'm taking my tools to the convention so if something gets out of adjustment on the way, I can correct it.

The p/s belt went on fine and has just enough play (less than 1" drop if you push down on it). The alt/ac belt had to be on TIGHT for it to quit chirping; which concerns me. Belts that are too tight can snap or screw up accessories. Oh well. Not sure if I want to fool with trying to put that new alt / ac belt on tomorrow. I was out there hours, which is shameful for something that should take 30 min or less. Funny b/c I ordered the same belts w/ the same part #s for the 89 and they went on fine. Maybe it's a defective belt?

 

[Ishodu]

I find it best to put it on the tensioner pulley last as it doesn't have a ****** on it.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

94/95 take a K060455 (45.5") not a 44.5" belt.

 

[K-Dawg]

Yep, all the parts stores list the wrong belt for the 94-95 SHOs.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Maybe that's why....I ordered this:

GATES Part # K060445 More Information About this Part Micro-V AT Premium OE V-Ribbed Belt; K06 13/16" x 45 1/8"

Ok....so I sat out there sweating buckets for 3-4 hours going "what am I doing wrong". LOL...wasted my whole Friday night too. What's worse is that I KNEW the part was right b/c it was the same # part on the 89....and I didn't know they were different for the 94/95s. That's why I was so persistent at trying to make it work. FAIL.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

That's a 2% issue right there ask me what that means

 

[JRA2000TL]

That's a 2% issue right there ask me what that means

What does that mean? lol

 

[JRA2000TL]

Oh yah...Archer is correct...diff size. RockAuto lists the 60455 as 46" compared to the 45-1/8" for the other. Ordering the right one now. $20 down the toilet for the other one unless I need it for the 89 later on.

 

[K-Dawg]

Been there done that with my old 95.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

What does that mean? lol

You gotta be 2% smarter than the thing you are operating/repairing for it to properly work and go back together

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Ordering the right one now. $20 down the toilet for the other one unless I need it for the 89 later on.

Why order? Just go to the local parts store and buy one. With shipping you're not saving anything buying online.

Funny thing is, I just came upon a set of 94/95 MTX belts in the basement last night while putting together a box of stuff for the charity auction at the convention!