Well, I'm doing all the preventive maintenance on my car, and all of the belts look pretty worn on my car and a belt is squealing when I hit the brake just faintly, but it'll get worse, been there done that.

Question is, does anyone sell any 'upgraded' belts that have better grip, longer lasting, etc. I know Advance Auto sells the Poly Cog stuff but that's what’s on there now and I'm not impressed!

- Tech

(Edit...sig violation...460 x 200, not 500 x 200...check the FAQ/Rules)

 

i think goodyear gatorback are pretty good, ive used em before

 

I know the Thunderbird Club recommended them for the tbirds but is there any made ofr us does anyone have any stock sizes I can go by? 1990 GXL

 

Most of the auto parts stores have computers that look up the part number by your car model.
I think they can also cross reference that actual size, so it's probably best to ask them?


-Ted

 

I like gates belts sold by NAPA or Carquest. Good year and Dayco are also good.

 

Yup. Wander in, tell them what kind of car you have (or, if you've swapped engines, usually it's best to give them the car that the engine was originally from), and they can look up all the belt sizes.

While you're at it, you might want to consider keeping the old alternator/water pump belt in the back somewhere. That's the only belt you actually need to drive the car for extended periods of time, and with a few wrenches you can change it on the side of the road.

-=Russ=-

 

Yeah, I didn't know if the dayco was any good, it was on my car when I got it but they look all cracked and dried up.

I usually keep old belts in the back for that reason.

 

Why do you need "upgraded grip" belts? Just go to your local auto parts store and get some decent (ie. Gates) belts. If they are properly tensioned, and the pully grooves are clear, then they should not squeal or slip. FWIW, Mazda has very high quality belts at the dealer.

 

I just use the standard belts from o'reillys, and I've never had a problem on any of my cars. They tend to stretch so you have to tighten them again, but I think thats pretty normal.
If you have problems with belts slipping, they just aren't tight enough. I usually get get a friend to wedge the alt. tighter so they dont slip.

 

I don't need upgraded grip belts really, I just want something that I won't have to worry about slipping, the alt belt is pretty much maxed out now, I assume it would after 80k miles on the engine.