new Serpentine belt doesnt fit

[Bouncyballs]

I have a 49 yj and one of the idler pulley broke, so i got a new one and a new belt, and when i went to put on the new belt it was too small be about an inch. i think there is an aftermarket AC that is different from the factory ones, so the belt i got doesent fit. i got a belt for it w/o AC that works fine but i am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what they did about it.

also when this happened the sound of the jeep changed alot, their is an exhaust on it, and it now sounds deeper and quieter. i dont know if it is because of the new belt or if something was messed up when the pulley broke.

thanks for the help.

 

[TerryMason]

So the belt without AC is longer than the one with AC? That doesn't sound right. Are you sure you have the right belt?

I believe there are bearings inside of alot of pulleys, that allow them to rotate smoothly - could be they were worn out, and the pully itself was making some noise.

 

[Bouncyballs]

no im running the belt for a jeep w/o AC, so i dont have AC right now, whitch doesnt really matter seeing as its winter, and though i doubt ill use it in the summer its just nice to have working since its there.

and yeah the pulley broke at the bearing whitch was worn, but it seemed like a Shi* load of a difference, and its not really like a noise from under the hood, the whole exhaust sounds different so i dont know if when the pulley broke is did some more damage(i was driving) but i didnt really hear any loud noises... just the sound of the car change.

 

[TerryMason]

I gotcha. You have an AC compressor, but the belt isn't run to it currently.

Personally, I'd try buying another belt with AC from a different auto parts store, and see if you get the same result.

It could be that the AC compressor was putting a strain on the engine - you'll be able to rule that out once you get a good belt on there.

 

[Bouncyballs]

ok, ill try that. thanks

 

[shvlhd666]

You might try taking a piece of rope about a 1/4 inch in diameter and wrap it around the appropriate pulleys and measure the overall length. The parts store can usually take that measurement and set you up the right belt. If you haven't noticed, sometimes the length is incorporated into the part number.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Did you loosen the belt tensioner completely when installing?

Check your AC clutch, it may be engaged all the time and dragging down the engine, which would explain the perceived sound difference.