To much belt wrap? Possible?

Ive been fighting and fighting belt squeal/chirp. Changed the idlers to metco, changed the belt to gator back(from a traditional gates). I change the belt at least once a year (less than 1000 miles).
So here’s where I’m at, contemplating going to the dreaded green belt or trying the rpm belt but I noticed I have tremendous belt wrap compared to other setups I’ve seen.

So here’s the top, anti slip BF with a 100 metco. I can’t even get my pinky through the gap.
The bottom pulley is an 8lb and I have to remove the idler to get the belt out between the crank pulley and idler. Is this pulley combo and belt wrap/tension just to much? Or am I just over thinking it.

Over thinking

When was the last time you changed the tensioner? Are all of your pullies aligned?

Try flipping the belt around. Seems stupid, but someone on here mentioned it and it worked for me. Like if you could look down at the belt and read the writing, flip it so it would be upside down to you.

Did this with my gates after the car sat for several months.

Been on a gatorback a couple years and no issue. And the gap on my upper to snub is similar to yours.

slo984now said:

When was the last time you changed the tensioner? Are all of your pullies aligned?

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Tensioner is the original, last year I spun the pulley while listening with a stethoscope, no crazy noise so I assumed it was fine.

MG0h3 said:

Try flipping the belt around. Seems stupid, but someone on here mentioned it and it worked for me. Like if you could look down at the belt and read the writing, flip it so it would be upside down to you.

Did this with my gates after the car sat for several months.

Been on a gatorback a couple years and no issue. And the gap on my upper to snub is similar to yours.

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I’ll give this a try this morning and report back.

You might also try the water misting test. With the belt spinning, spray a fine mist of water on the belt. If the chirping disappears, it's likely that your belt is glazed. And that could be your issue. I'm surprised, though, that switching to a Gatorback didn't fix the problem.

Anyone know if the current Gatorback belt is different (material and design) from the original Gatorback?

CobraBob said:

You might also try the water misting test. With the belt spinning, spray a fine mist of water on the belt. If the chirping disappears, it's likely that your belt is glazed. And that could be your issue. I'm surprised, though, that switching to a Gatorback didn't fix the problem.

Anyone know if the current Gatorback belt is different (material and design) from the original Gatorback?

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From what I read it’s the same Bob.

Op sometimes doing the water test will clean things up and the chirping will stop for a decent while too.


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apex svt said:

Tensioner is the original, last year I spun the pulley while listening with a stethoscope, no crazy noise so I assumed it was fine.

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The heat cycles and constant moving takes its toll on the spring. The pulley could be fine but the spring could be tired. Might be worth installing a new tensioner since you've replaced everything else.

CobraBob said:

You might also try the water misting test. With the belt spinning, spray a fine mist of water on the belt. If the chirping disappears, it's likely that your belt is glazed. And that could be your issue. I'm surprised, though, that switching to a Gatorback didn't fix the problem.

Anyone know if the current Gatorback belt is different (material and design) from the original Gatorback?

Click to expand...

CobraBob said:

You might also try the water misting test. With the belt spinning, spray a fine mist of water on the belt. If the chirping disappears, it's likely that your belt is glazed. And that could be your issue. I'm surprised, though, that switching to a Gatorback didn't fix the problem.

Anyone know if the current Gatorback belt is different (material and design) from the original Gatorback?

Click to expand...

I actually got an OG gatorback from Amazon. Maybe it being old and sitting is part of the issue. Tried the water trick, it got a little quieter but it’s still blatantly there. I also “flipped” the belt, that didn’t work. I’m going to order a green belt and if that doesn’t work I guess I’ll try a new tensioner. Thanks for the input guys, I know many of you have had this problem.

A dry belt is a very common cause of noise so you may be onto something. That being said, usually water will silence it if only for a minute.




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apex svt said:

View attachment 1489415
I actually got an OG gatorback from Amazon. Maybe it being old and sitting is part of the issue. Tried the water trick, it got a little quieter but it’s still blatantly there. I also “flipped” the belt, that didn’t work. I’m going to order a green belt and if that doesn’t work I guess I’ll try a new tensioner. Thanks for the input guys, I know many of you have had this problem.

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I wouldn't bother with the green belt personally. Everyone I know including me ends up with a chirping issue. Mine was only at cold start, but it was there. The green belts are designed go forever so they're a little harder than the standard belt. I'd look into the RPM if you want to try something new.

Also, check your alignment. If the pullies are off that can cause a squeak as it could be rubbing the edge of the pulley weird.

Green gates belt here. No issues for the last 3 years, no noise. I run a KB2.2 with a 2.76 pulley.

However I did remove the "glaze" on the backside of the belt. All it takes is a light scuff with sandpaper. I'd give this a try. Before I did this a while back I did have the annoying chirp.

Do not create too much wrap if you try the RPM belt. It's designed to be near factory tension level or less. That aramid tensile belt does not stretch and will pop in half if you treat it like the other belts (i.e. gatorback, black or green gates). I have much less tension on mine versus the gatorback I had on before and it holds 22psi no problem, with an upper RR pulley only and factory caged lower. It's quiet, too.

I’m having the exact same issue with 22psi, metco pulleys and gatorback belt. Open for suggestions.

Don’t trust new pulleys , Ive found bearings at a local bearing shop that are much better and replace into the pulley

c6zhombre said:

Do not create too much wrap if you try the RPM belt. It's designed to be near factory tension level or less. That aramid tensile belt does not stretch and will pop in half if you treat it like the other belts (i.e. gatorback, black or green gates). I have much less tension on mine versus the gatorback I had on before and it holds 22psi no problem, with an upper RR pulley only and factory caged lower. It's quiet, too.

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This was what I was worried about, that’s why I’m going to try the green belt first, ordered yesterday.
On a side note wouldn’t lower tension cause belt slip? We were going to try one of these on my buddy’s procharged car but if you can’t crank on the tension I don’t see how it would help with slip? Good info.

How tight is it? I had that issue running too tight of a belt on my 2.9/4# with 3-100's & 1-90

apex svt said:

This was what I was worried about, that’s why I’m going to try the green belt first, ordered yesterday.
On a side note wouldn’t lower tension cause belt slip? We were going to try one of these on my buddy’s procharged car but if you can’t crank on the tension I don’t see how it would help with slip? Good info.

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You would think that....but the reality is the standard construction belts stretch so much, especially after being heated.....they require tremendous pressure at a cold temp to allow for this and not slip once the heat is on and the stretch occurs. The aramid tensile construction of the RPM belt does not stretch, even after being heated. So, massive cold tension is not needed to maintain wrap once you drive the car a while.

I've been very pleased with its performance so far, I've had it on for about six months now. And you have to think it's also easier on all the components of the tensioner and pulleys since you're not applying such massive cold pressure like the other belts require.

Quite a few good points here. I've had to replace my snub idler bearing 3 times. (National) In 25k miles. The tension is rather rough on the bearings to say the least. Also, two Napa belts (Made by Gates) whenever I get around to it. I'm going to Carbinite the supercharger pulley. It may wear the belt faster, But I'd rather have that than slip.

Also, OP. Napa belts are a lifetime warranty. But depends on if the parts person wants to give you a hard time or not. Most of the time. They won't.

Are you sure its the outer belt that is chirping? I just recently had a squeel on my car, took the superhcarger belt off, started the car, and chirp was still there. Pulled the whole bridge assembly off and ended up having a couple bad idlers. Replaced all idlers, inner belt, and outer belt, and shes been fine since.