My '82 has dealer installed A/C so it has a different style of tensioner pulley.


The trouble I have though is no matter how tight I put the belt when I am at idle the belt on the long run between the compressor and the crank vibrates like hell and it actually sounds like the engine is knocking with how the belt is snapping.


I wanted to ask has anyone figured out a way to stop this or a belt that doesn't do this as bad?


Doesn't do it with the A/C off but does when I run the A/C.


I am due for a new belt as it is bouncing between the crank and the tensioner pulley so if someone has a belt recommendation now would be the time for me to try it.

 

Get a Dayco belt and tighten it up good. Even though the belt is not squealing, it sounds like it's still slipping, and that's what's making the noise and making flop really bad. If you want to try it, tighten the belt up that you have and see what happens. But that may not cure it completely if the belt is old and worn out.

 

When I first threw this belt on a few years back I had it tightened up as far as the strange dealer A/C tensioner would allow and it still bounced but not as bad as it is now. I know it is stretched out and the reason for this now.


I was thinking of trying one of those "no slip" Goodyear gatorback belts but cant find one at any of the stores I go to have to order it

 

If slippage is the problem then my father's trick might help. Get a round rasp and lay it in the pulley and hit it with a mallet so it leaves some serrations. Turn the pulley and lay in another row, continuing until the whole pulley has serrations. It really helps with slippage and doesn't seem to wear the belts badly.

 

I couldn't say if the belt is slipping. But it does bounce like crazy and create a vibrating noise that sounds very much like a rod knock just faster.


My problem is the tensioner used on the dealer installed A/C setups can tension the belt only so much. I have been thinking of giving the good year gatorback belts a try as they claim they bite better and don't slip as bad as other belts. we also use them on all cars that we get belts for so I might give them a try first.

 

a quick way to test/ minimise belt slip is to smear some non-gel (standard white stuff) toothpaste on the sides of the belt. The abrasive content gives the belt some bite on the pulley sides.

 

That's a new one on me. Ive heard of using a bar of non scented soap to stop a belt from squealing.


I might have to try that.

 

I can attest to the Gatorback being a good belt, everything I own has one on it now. They are one of the few belts left that doesn't like to stretch.