Engine Belt
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 28
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From: Abilene, TX
Engine Belt
Ok I know this is going to sound like a dumb question, but I just changed the alternator on my 96 F250 4x4 with a 5.8L V-8. Well now the belt doesnt fit right. I did install it the way that it was before, now the smog pump has been removed, and I went to the parts store, and they only show one belt listed for that model engine. Has anyone else ran into this problem? And if you did, how did you fix it? The belt is too loose when it is installed. The belt is not strechted, and the original belt listed is supposed to be 104inches. This one is 92.5 inches. I am thinking the only other option I have at this time is to measure it and try to find a belt that will fit. Any other suggestions would be really appreciated. I am about at wits end here... Same alternator I took off, should have worked after putting a new one on... Damn used pick ups... lol
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 73
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From: NH
not sure exactly what is going on by what you are discribing, with alt replacement unless the pulleys were differnt diameters everything should be the same, unless you got a differant size alt? as to the smog pump I tryed to bypass mine on my 93 5.0 and got just about every belt size I could find around the size (drove the Napa workers crazy) and could not get A belt that fit right and held up to the AC kicking on. closest belt I found was a 060919 or 919k6. I just ended up gutting the smog pumps empellers and reinstalled it now it works like a idler and I can use the stock belt.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 617
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From: Los Alamos
With the smog pump removed, you won't find the size in a book at the parts store. Put your alternator almost all the way down the slot (leave yourself a little bit to work with), loop the old belt around and pull up the slack, then measure as close as you can (last time I did this, I used vice grips to hold the excess belt, pulled the alternator snug, and then marked the belt with a tire crayon, took the belt off and measured it)
That will get you close enough.
That will get you close enough.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 28
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From: Abilene, TX
I have thought about going to the junk yard and getting an old smog pump just to mount up. I dont have any of the smog stuff left to actually hook it up. But I guess it would work just like a idler pully, nothing more... thanks for the information, if I cant find a belt to fit that will be my next step.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 841
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From: Orangeville, Ontario
Take a piece of string and run it around the accessories in the proper order. Take your measurement and make sure you leave some slack for the tensioner. Go to the store and ask for that size. Good luck.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 28
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From: Abilene, TX
Originally Posted by TheRoadVirus
Take a piece of string and run it around the accessories in the proper order. Take your measurement and make sure you leave some slack for the tensioner. Go to the store and ask for that size. Good luck.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 28
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From: Abilene, TX
Sorry I never reposted on this subject... Well lets see I went to the parts store and bought a belt that was 1 inch smaller. It would not fit on, then I noticed that the idler pulley was missing, so I went to the salvage yard and picked up the bracket with the idler pully and the tension regulator (thinking that maybe the tension regulator might be bad), well I ended up buying a belt that was 95 inches, and installing it, with some prying, and forcing. It isnt too tight on the pulleys at all, which surprised me, I was really expecting it to me tight, but everything fits fine now, the new belt is strechted out some, and it is running like it should be. Now I am chasing a fuel guage not working. But that will be another story. lol. Again sorry I never updated the forum, I will keep better track of it next time.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 502
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From: Southern New Hampshire
if you are just trying to bypass the smog pump, then take a peice of string or rope and wrap it around the pulleys like you would with the belt while bypassing the smog pump. then mark the two ends where the meet and measure the length and go to your parts store and ask for that size belt. i did it for mine when i rebuilt my 300 (pic in sig) i also took out my a/c compressor. i believe the size is something like 80" BUT do NOT quote me on that. it will probably be different. but 80 for some reason comes to mind
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
From: Abilene, TX
I tried measuring it with the string, that was what blew my mind that when I measured it, it came to 92.5 inches. The original belt with the smog pump was 104 inches. I bought the truck without the smog pump, and I had taken the belt off, when I changed out the alternator, now I will admit that I made a rookie mistake and did not check the routing of the old belt before I removed it. But I wasnt even expecting to have any problems with it. Lesson learned on that one. Anyhow I did end up going back to the parts store 2 times, to get a belt, and finally got one that fit. It was tight to get it on, and I was expecting it to be tight when it was installed, but it wasnt. I dont know if maybe my tension regulator isnt working right or what, but it blew me away. At least that is fixed now. Just got to get the rest fixed. It seems that if it isnt one thing its another... lol 
but what would I do if I didnt have to turn wrenched on my truck. I would probably die of bordom, or have to go buy a chevy so that I would definitly have to work on it...
but what would I do if I didnt have to turn wrenched on my truck. I would probably die of bordom, or have to go buy a chevy so that I would definitly have to work on it...
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