hey guys, i recently had to install a new drive belt and idler pulley on my 03. i purchased this car a little over a year ago with the UR pulley set already installed.





from what i've read the UR pulleys are only offered in stock diameter, but it had me worried a bit when i went to install the new oem drive belt and it made for a tight fit.

here's a pick of where my tensioner pulley is sitting with the new belt installed. i've never figured out exactly how to read the markings. tensioner is also new by the way, about 5k on it so far.


i haven't started the car yet, just wanted to check with the pros first and make sure that i shouldn't of bought a different sized belt.

 

That looks way too much to the left. I just installed my new OEM belt and have driven about 50-60 miles. I just took this pic.

 

That's freaking weird. I knew it was a bit funny. I think the unorthodox pulleys are supposed to be stock size too. At least I can't find any under drive pulleys online made by that company. I'm sure that my idler is correct and so is my tensioner. I'm stumped.

I'll be able to start her up soon. do you guys recommend not doing so with that much tension on the belt?

 

By the way, thanks maniac for snapping that shot and your input

 

NP, start and see if the wear indicator goes back a lil towards the right. Sometimes the belt needs to be "set" in i guess. If it was starts making a squeezing noise, turn it off right away.

 

10-4. I'm going to double check the part number too. If its not that then I'll take the old belt up to napa and get them to match it.

 

checked the part number and it's definitely the right belt. i'm blown away, i have no idea why it's too small. i won't be able to turn it over for a little while longer, but i'll update with my results.

there have been a couple of clues that lead me to believe this car was once a forced induction car, in that case would there be any reason why the ac compressor might have been moved?? when i bought it from the last owner he told me that it was without ac until he found a used compressor and had it installed. he wasn't sure about the prior history of the car either and only owned it for a year or so before selling to me.

 

IMO, I'd get rid of those pulleys, well, at least the Crank Pulley. Our crank pulley is really a harmonic balancer which has a rubber insulator built into it. This helps reduce engine vibrations, etc. etc. Having a solid pulley on there just doesn't seem like a good idea to me, though it's been widely debated. I, personally, would never do it.

 

Yeah, I've read the debate and do appreciate your input. To me the power benefits do not outweigh the chance of damaging the motor, but I plan on supercharging sometime in the near future, so I'll take that opportunity to change the crank pulley.

 

I wouldn't worry about your belt issue as long as it's not whining or anything when you start it up. After a couple/few days of running it I'll bet you're belt will have stretched a bit and be where it's supposed to be.

Question though, is the tensioner you replaced an OEM tensioner or is it an aftermarket one? If aftermarket, that may be just the other variable you have working against you. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it all too much.