ok so I had put my new engine in and 200kms later I start getting noise from the belt/tensioner.. ok well I thought it was the tensioner so I replaced it.. of course it turns out it was the belt so I put a new delco belt on.. 800km's later.. and now it's making the same noise again.. anyone have suggestoins.. aside from changing the damn belt again..

 

Are you using underdrive sheaves? Running a blower?

Check the alignment and routing. If the high-load devices don't have at least 40% of the sheave wrapped by the belt, the belt can lose traction and slip. As soon as it slips, it begins to glaze, and the toilet chain has already been pulled.

The alternator and A/C need to have at least a 40% wrap, which means at least 40% of the circumference needs to be under the belt at all times. Less surface area reduces the amount of power tha can be transmitted and induces slippage. Lower load devices like the water pump and air pump can survive with less belt engagement. The power steering pump is a low load most of the time, but increases load sharply when there is a demand for oil pressure from either the steering or brakes (if you have hydraulic assist).

Can you identify exactly which device is generating the noise/load? Have you rerouted your belt from the factory scheme?

 

that's the thing.. I haven't changed anything.. it's all factory pulley's and routing.. it's a single serp belt.. it's a narrow one though.. I"m running water pump, ps pump, alt, and a.i.r. pump..

it's hard to say what the noise is from.. it 's like an intermittent sound when your sitting at a stop.. all I know is that it's the same sound I was getting before I changed the belt..

 

Maybe your pulleys are glazed? That might cause some kind of squealing type noise.

 

With the engine running take a bar of soap and glaze the belt.
That usually does the trick.

 

Think that would last? How about scuffing up the pulleys w/sand paper or something like that?

 

Jeff,

You stated "it's a narrow one though.." Is it not a 6-rib poly 'V'? I thought all straight poly-V drives used an 6-rib belt, and only the "hybrid" '86-'87 cars used the 4-rib belt for part of the drives.

What exactly DID you mean by narrow?

 

I believe it's a 4 rib.. and it's serpentine type.. only 1 belt..

I know when I had my 96 silverado the belt was wider..

funny thing is tonight it didn't seem to be doing it..