1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

my belt squeals

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Old 09-17-14, 08:45 PM
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my belt squeals

I purchased a belt for my 7 and after a couple weeks it started squealing.
Its the alt, water pump and main pulley belt.
I tightened the belt and it is now maxed out on the alt, and now constantly squeals.
A friend told me to buy the solid belt for it, I have the one that is ribbed.
Ive heard of the yoohoo belt or something in those lines, what do you guys recommend I get.
I dont want to buy belt dressing thats not the proper fix

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Old 09-18-14, 01:48 AM
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Well, here's the fix - and it requires removing the belt and reinstalling but will work. Get some 100grit sandpaper and with the belt loose in one hand, and the sandpaper curled in the other, run the belt through the sandpaper as your hand applies pressure. What you want is to scrub up the running surfaces of the belt so they'll get a better bite on the pulleys.

Now, on the pulleys take the sandpaper and lightly run it up and down vertically on the pulley surfaces - you don't want to sand around the pulley radially - you want to create minute scratches AGAINST the direction of the pulley to give it more traction.

You probably have some oil or grease on the pulley which will need to be cleaned off thoroughly and also check the belt to be sure it hasn't absorbed any of the grease or oil. Reinstall and you should be good. The tension on the belts isn't needed to be so tight as running them too tight will result in uneven bearing loads on the waterpump pulley and will cause pump bearing failure. Good luck,
Old 09-18-14, 04:24 AM
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This belt is shot, it is stretched to the max and you can see slack in it as it is moving.
I think I need a new belt

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Old 09-18-14, 10:30 AM
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Squealing is the #1 sign that a belt is worn out. They're cheap and easy to replace, and losing one when in the middle of nowhere can have bad consequences.

When in doubt, swap it out!
Old 09-22-14, 10:32 AM
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What belts are you guys using?
I dont want to swap it out again for the same belt, to have it wear out on me in a few months and buy another one.
I would like a good quality belt.

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Old 09-22-14, 12:28 PM
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If you have no air pump you oughta get a dual sheave pulley. The clogged belts are better in that they make the tight turn over the alternator more easily.
Old 09-22-14, 01:59 PM
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Will snap a pic tonight, but I'm using the cogged ones. I do still have my air pump, though.

Maybe the new belt you got is too long? That could account for being at max adjust on the alt and still not quite tight enough.
Old 09-22-14, 02:54 PM
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Never thought about that, I do not have an air pump installed.
But when I purchased the belt it said for alt, waterpump and main pulley only

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Old 09-22-14, 03:09 PM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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I always measure the belts and get it based on my measurements since I use non-stock pulleys.
Old 09-22-14, 06:05 PM
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Dayco 15320 $5.52 at Rockauto.com
Works great! American made!


my belt squeals-image-2355161981.jpg
Old 09-23-14, 10:04 AM
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Dayco's the same ones I've been using. Never a problem with them.
Old 09-23-14, 10:13 AM
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Back when my car still had a clutch fan, it usually ate two of those dayco's every summer.

Of course I was running stock plugs and a very lean cruising carb set up. Usually led to a buildup of high heat in low speed conditions and the fan clutch would come on too much because of it.

Mine still squealed even with dual sheave pulleys and matched belts :P. But only when the engine was spinning up very fast with the fan still on.
Old 09-23-14, 02:06 PM
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2 years and 10,000 miles, lots of 7500 shifts, no issues.
Old 09-23-14, 03:41 PM
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You need this belt:

Of course, now that "squeal" turns into a "whine".
Old 09-23-14, 04:06 PM
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Love the gilmer whine haha
Old 09-23-14, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by wankel=awesome
Back when my car still had a clutch fan, it usually ate two of those dayco's every summer.

Of course I was running stock plugs and a very lean cruising carb set up. Usually led to a buildup of high heat in low speed conditions and the fan clutch would come on too much because of it.

Mine still squealed even with dual sheave pulleys and matched belts :P. But only when the engine was spinning up very fast with the fan still on.
I'm running a stock setup including clutch fan. I have yet to ever break a belt & generally have only had to change them due to age-related wear after several years' use.

Maybe you have an issue with pulley alignment?
Old 09-23-14, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by DivinDriver
I'm running a stock setup including clutch fan. I have yet to ever break a belt & generally have only had to change them due to age-related wear after several years' use.

Maybe you have an issue with pulley alignment?
No, it was on a super lean setup like I said. The clutch fan was on almost 90% of the time. That's sure to burn through belts quick. It was a hyper miler holley carb jetting. It was great, did about 26 mpg highway and had better than nikki power, but it was an incredibly hot running engine with it. Plus iirc the header wasnt wrapped or coated back then either.

It was more an experiment on my part than anything else. Eat belts and fan clutches it did though...
Old 09-23-14, 05:00 PM
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Maybe ill switch to electric fan, reduce the drag on the belt

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Old 09-23-14, 06:49 PM
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It helps a little, but before doing that just try a new pair of matched belts and a dual sheave.

The E-fan thing can be costly and even damage the engine if care isnt taken setting it all up.
Old 09-23-14, 08:17 PM
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All the dual sheave pullies ive seen reduce the alt and waterpump speed, I dont want that.

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Old 09-24-14, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by rotaryjunkee
All the dual sheave pullies ive seen reduce the alt and waterpump speed, I dont want that.

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The alt pulley diameter has no effect on the water pump speed.
There are a couple out there there are stock diameter. There's a steel one that's pretty cheap. There's also ones from other cars that fit. Sorry I can't provide links for you.
Currently I'm running the single pulley and gutted air pump, I don't like the amount of tension needed to keep the dual pulley/clutch fan setup from squealing. I had an e-fan setup and dual pulley and liked it but removed it as I was going to sell my car at one time.
Old 09-25-14, 06:11 AM
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Banzai makes one thats not underdriven...

Pulleys & Belts (86-91 RX-7)
Old 09-25-14, 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by wankel=awesome
Banzai makes one thats not underdriven...

Pulleys & Belts (86-91 RX-7)
Kool thanks, ill be buying that one

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Old 09-27-14, 06:58 AM
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Tell them I said hi lol
Old 12-14-14, 09:03 PM
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Geeeez - is this a great looking set-up! Encourages me to keep messing with my 1979!
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