I recently removed my smog pump and installed a shorter belt...88.2" at the suggestion of another post on this site. My belt is now walking towards the front at the crank pulley (moving over 1 rib to the front). I am trying to find what's causing this. The 88.2 belt is very tight and the tensioner only moves down 1/2" when released. I also have had the pulley off of the ps pump, and when I reinstalled I thought I had it bottomed out. Now I am thinking the pulley was closer to the bracket mount, and the tool must have bottomed, not the pulley. I can see where the belt should ride by the wear markings on the waterpump pulley (and it's riding more to the front than usual) and since the belt goes directly from ps pump to water pump the only thing it could be is the ps pump pulley is not bottomed out. I put a straight edge across the ps pump and crank pulley and the ps pump pulley is still about 1/2 to 3/4 further out (toward the front), which would make the belt align itself on the waterpump, thus walking the belt forward 1 groove on the crank. Also, looking at these pics the belt seems to be at a slight angle from ac comp. to ps pump. Am I thinking right? Do you think the belt tension is ok given the fact the tensioner only pushes down 1/2" or so? Sorry for the fuzzy pics...in a hurry with cell phone camera. A measurement from the back of the ps pulley to the mount bracket would be great...Or a pic to compare to.



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I have a 95 5.0 with out the air pump & dont know if there the same . When we took the pump off we put an idler pulley in its place . I use a 95.0 belt but i have underdrive pulleys . The measurement from the back of the pulley to the bracket is 7/16" on my truck ..Lew

 

Thanks Lew...I will measure when I get home. I am thinking mine is further than 7/16" looking at the distance in this pic. Can you lay a flat edge on your ps pump pulley and see if it is even with crank pulley? I think I will be ok with the 88.2" belt as it does fit and the tensioner does release...don't think that has anything to do with the walking. I think the belt will also stretch some once used a little.

 

It sounds like you have a problem with PS pump . I put a flat edge on mine & they all line up ..Lew

 

I am guessing my tool bottomed out and not the pulley. I will try again and put a socket head on the tool to prevent bottom out. I am almost certain this is the problem now. Thanks for the input.

 

Lew...measured my gap to bracket on p/s pump and come up with 5/8". So that's at least 3/16" more than your measurement. That's probably close to the gap that I am showing on my straight edge to crank pulley. I am going to try and tighten that pulley a little more and see what I get.

 

Your almost there . You will know when that striaght edge lines up . Lew

 

Lew got it pulled tight. I thought I had bottomed out because it had gotten really tight. I muscled up on it and it kept moving and got a little easier right at the end. I know for sure know it's bottomed. It won't budge another fraction of an inch. Measured and I get 7/16", just like you said. I also went with 1/2" longer belt, 88.7" (looks perfect) and everything is turning fine. Thanks for the help and measurement! Oh, and I am getting a flat edge with the crank pulley and the belt looks to be riding in the area on the water pump where it had before.

 

Good to hear that you got it fixed .. Glad i was able to help .Lew