B94Sport
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- November 27, 2000
- Messages
- 1,254
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Geneva, IL
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 05 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
I recently installed one of these alternators in my '94 Sport. As you all know, the pulley on this new alt is much smaller than stock, resulting in loss of belt tension. How did you all correct this problem and tighten the belt? My tensioner is maxed and the belt is still loose to the point where it will squeal obnoxiously at all speeds, but the chance of it actually coming off of one or more pulleys is slim. It's driving me nuts! 
I have considered:
1) Using washers between the alt and its mounting brackets to raise the alt slightly, thus tightening the belt.
2) Finding a smaller belt (I have yet to find one that is smaller and will still fit - the next smallest size that the auto parts store had was too small)
3) Swapping the new and old pulleys. This would be a last resort, as the alt would then spin slower at all RPMs and voltage/amperage would most likely be sacrificed.
Right now I am leaning towards #1, since #2 has been unsuccessful and #3 is a last ditch effort... But if anyone else with this alt has ideas, please send them this way! Thanks.
I have considered:1) Using washers between the alt and its mounting brackets to raise the alt slightly, thus tightening the belt.
2) Finding a smaller belt (I have yet to find one that is smaller and will still fit - the next smallest size that the auto parts store had was too small)
3) Swapping the new and old pulleys. This would be a last resort, as the alt would then spin slower at all RPMs and voltage/amperage would most likely be sacrificed.
Right now I am leaning towards #1, since #2 has been unsuccessful and #3 is a last ditch effort... But if anyone else with this alt has ideas, please send them this way! Thanks.
Guess that's what the slipping belt will do to you!
