Idler Pully Belt on BB cars ----

[Bill C.]

Hey ---

Is there any reason why the back belt that the idler rests on continues to break ?

On the way back from Kissimmee last night it tore up on I-10 thankfully I was only 50 miles from home and the PS belt had enough tightness to turn the water pump. I hate the belt setup on BB A/C cars !!! --

Info -----
I get around 2-3K miles out of a belt and it shreads, this also equates (normally) to 3 years of sitting time and local short drives.
I am using a standard Gates belt, it is not solid.

How much pressure should the idler wheel have on the belt at rest?

I think that I may be putting to much resting pressure when I install it-
The idler wheel spins freely, no binding.

Any suggestions are appreciated --

[Clem Z.]

Re: Idler Pully Belt on BB cars ----

check the pulley alignment using a 1/4" dia steel rod with a 90 degree bend on one end. put the bent end into the WP pulley and see if the other end of the rod hits in the center of the other pulleys. buy a "wrapped" agriculture belt used on mowers and such as they are a much stronger belt than the a cut belts sold for auto use