Help with correct belt tension
 

I removed my air pump on my FD over the summer and of course replaced the belt with a smaller 4 ribbed one. Ever since I have noticed some cranking problems with the car like it turning over real slow when its cold and sometimes not even cranking on the first try... I also occasionally get that high pitched belt squeel too. I noticed just yesterday that where the belt goes around the alternator it has left deposit of dusted rubber on the alternator from the belt actually wearing down. Do you guys think that I have the belt on too tight or too loose? Any hints or tips on how to know if its the right tension would be great. I know somethings wrong because the belt isn't suppose to be wearing down like that. Thanks in advance.

I think its too loose if its squealing. I don't know if the accessories on the FD are in the same location as on the FC, but I use a small pry bar as leverage on my alternator when I am installing it. I use 1 hand to pull up on the pry bar, lifting the alternator higher which tightens the belts. I use the othe hand to tighten the bolt to keep it in that position. Or you can enlist the help of a friend.

Also, if you removed the air pump, you may want to get a dual belt pulley for your alternator so you can have 2 belts going around the water pump and not just the one.

I agree with you on the squeeling part due to it being loose but does that explain the dust from the rubbing of the belt?

Why would I benefit from running 2 belts and not just one if it'll amount to the same surface area? I'm guessing maybe I'll get a 2 & 3 ribbed one to run together instead of the 4 I have right now so I can have the correct width.

Overall, can you give me any hint on how tight it should be? like what to look for? I'm guessing it should be pretty tight considering you were using a pry bar.

The rubber dust is from the friction between the belt and the pulley. The pulley is moving faster than the belt.

Running two belts is actually to make sure there is enough belt tension on the water pump pulley. Its not related to your issue.

In the front of the haynes manual, there is a section for doing routine maintenance. One of the things they cover is belt tension. Once the belt is tight, grab the belt in the middle, between two pulleys. It shows a measurement for how much deflection you should be able to get out of the belt. If you can wiggle the belt more than the listed number, its too loose. Do you have a Haynes manual for the FD? I'm not sure if its the same as in the FC, but its a belt, so it should be. If you don't have one, I'll dig mine up for you.

Yea, I don't have one... and I figured any information that would be in the manual would be off due to not having the air pump on anymore. You're probably right though and if its a big deal to check, don't worry about it. One of my buddies has one I just have to call him. Thanks though