Is this Belt Gap Clearance OK?
#1
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Car: 1992 Firebird base
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700r4 / 4l60
Axle/Gears: stock
Is this Belt Gap Clearance OK?
Hey, everyone! I need a small part of your wisdom this morning! I replaced my serpentine belt tension arm with an ACDelco one (I think there was some other brand on there) which was a slightly different size. This made the already small gap between the serpentine belt and the water pump pulley even smaller, where I can only slip my pinky finger through it. Here's a pic of that gap. Is this OK to run? The belt I am using is a GM#88986814, a 97" length. Should I drop to a 96" belt? I've searched and cannot find any guidance on gapping / clearance for this sorta thing.
Last edited by GBousley; 10-16-2021 at 11:16 AM.
#2
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Is this Belt Gap Clearance OK?
The marks on the tensioner is in range. I wouldn't worry about it.
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Car: 1992 Firebird base
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700r4 / 4l60
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Is this Belt Gap Clearance OK?
Cool. Do you think the belt running across the top of the water pump pulley is too close? I guess I'm worried that there may be some play or "wobble" in the belt that might close the 1/2 inch gap and rub on itself, if at all possible. I've never seen it do that at idle, but who knows what's happening at WOT.. I can pick up a new 6-rib belt from the auto parts store for 30-40$ maybe (an inch shorter than this one).
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Is this Belt Gap Clearance OK?
Are you using a different belt route than orignal 92? There are a couple ways it can be routed. Like are you using the air pump delete routing?
Stock was 94.5 inches as my recollection and rockauto shows.
Either way, the gap wouldn't bother me, due to the tensioner shows it within it's normal range, ie it's meant to be there.
Stock was 94.5 inches as my recollection and rockauto shows.
Either way, the gap wouldn't bother me, due to the tensioner shows it within it's normal range, ie it's meant to be there.
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Car: 1992 Firebird base
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700r4 / 4l60
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Is this Belt Gap Clearance OK?
Are you using a different belt route than orignal 92? There are a couple ways it can be routed. Like are you using the air pump delete routing?
Stock was 94.5 inches as my recollection and rockauto shows.
Either way, the gap wouldn't bother me, due to the tensioner shows it within it's normal range, ie it's meant to be there.
Stock was 94.5 inches as my recollection and rockauto shows.
Either way, the gap wouldn't bother me, due to the tensioner shows it within it's normal range, ie it's meant to be there.
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Is this Belt Gap Clearance OK?
Then I'm guessing you're using this as a guide https://www.thirdgen.org/serpentine/
96.8 inch belt is what they recommend, 97 isn't far off. Belt stretch could eventually make it too far but let's face it, that's possible on a stock belt and stock routing.
Depends on how much it nags you in the back of your subconscious as to if you should spend the $30 on a different belt.
96.8 inch belt is what they recommend, 97 isn't far off. Belt stretch could eventually make it too far but let's face it, that's possible on a stock belt and stock routing.
Depends on how much it nags you in the back of your subconscious as to if you should spend the $30 on a different belt.
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Car: 1992 Firebird base
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700r4 / 4l60
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Is this Belt Gap Clearance OK?
Then I'm guessing you're using this as a guide https://www.thirdgen.org/serpentine/
96.8 inch belt is what they recommend, 97 isn't far off. Belt stretch could eventually make it too far but let's face it, that's possible on a stock belt and stock routing.
Depends on how much it nags you in the back of your subconscious as to if you should spend the $30 on a different belt.
96.8 inch belt is what they recommend, 97 isn't far off. Belt stretch could eventually make it too far but let's face it, that's possible on a stock belt and stock routing.
Depends on how much it nags you in the back of your subconscious as to if you should spend the $30 on a different belt.
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