Made my own belt sizing tool

[My96z]

I had just recently purchased some Metco double bearing idlers for my 04. With the exception of the snub idler, I had all stock idlers and a different alt pulley. I knew I would need a new belt.

After not finding much on info to fit my exact set up and to avoid multiple parts store runs I made this:

All I did was cut the old Gates belt I had and then cut two pieces of a rubber bungee cord I had laying around and screwed it all together. Took five minutes.

I made note of the length of belt I cut, and to find the length of belt I needed, I installed my creation while maintaning slight tension on the tensioner so that the proper tension is showing on the tensioner marks.

I then took a tape measure, measured the gap and found out I needed a 1" longer belt. Old belt 77" + 1" gap = 78 inch Gates belt.

I then used the handy dandy belt guide on Cobra Bob's site for the right part numbers, and then just took one trip to the parts store for a perfect fitting belt! Make sure you account for belt stretch of a new belt. Mine I sized a bit on the tight side but it fits perfect.

Sorry for the fuzzy pic but you get the idea.

 

[NJredfire03]

Simple and effective nice. adapt and overcome right?

 

[mrose75]

Nice trick! How's good ole Killeen? Time to clean the engine bay, brother!!

 

[03 Indy Cobra]

That's a cool idea.

 

[05satinGT]

Definitely an interesting and creative idea. That's mint it worked perfectly. I've seen so many people run into problems when trying to find out the right belt size.