Stiletto

Hopefully an easy question, I feel dumb even asking it: My alternator belt has 6 ribs, the alternator pulley has 6 grooves, but the AC pulley has 8 grooves. Which of those 8 grooves should the belt be fit into so the belt does not twist?

I BELIEVE it should be fit into grooves 3-8 (1 being the one closest to the engine), because last time I adjusted my belt, I recall I centered it on the AC pulley (grooves 2-7) and the belt was shredded within a week.

Is this documented anywhere?
Thanks!

thirdgenbird

they should both have either 6 or 8 grooves depending on the year. one of your accessories is wearing a mismatched pulley.

Stiletto

Thanks for the quick reply. I poked around some more and noticed the compressor's front upper mounting bolt appears to be missing. That might be the cause of my shredded belt. The compressor is basically hanging from the rear mounting bolt and the tensioning turnbuckle, which would allow the compressor to pivot and damage the belt:



Confirmed that my alternator pulley has 6 grooves:



The main pulley has 6 grooves:



And the A/C compressor pulley has 8 grooves:



Therefore, I probably have had an incorrect A/C compressor installed for 6 years.

I'll try replacing the mounting bolt and see how that works. Does anyone have any info about that bolt? Can it be sourced from a local hardware store? Does it require a nut?

Thanks!

V2Rocket

I would bet that you got a reman'd compressor with a pulley intended for a Ford...the compressors (early and late 944) are shared with lots of FoMoCo.

thirdgenbird

that may be, now that i think about it, didnt the early 944 use a 5 rib and the late cars a 6? i cant remember now.

griffiths

You have an aftermarket compressor (not stock), but that is OK.
The belt is probably a 6PK1035.
You simply won't use 2 grooves on the compressor clutch.
Replace the front mounting bolt, probably a 10mmx60mm.

Stiletto

So, after replacing the front mounting bolt, there's no way in hell I'm going to get that stock 6PK1000 belt around that compressor clutch by just pulling on it. Time to go shopping for a slightly larger belt. griffiths, I'm gonna start with your suggestion of 1035mm

m73m95

Put locktight on that bolt.

I've replaced 3 of them (one being mine) on cars in the Vegas area. They seem to like to come out.