Cool Squealing SERP belt!!! Out of ideas

[chuzie]

I just got indirectly scolded for posting this on Classic and not here. Sorry. :crying:

351w EFI
Explorer front dress w/ a/c
Running Gates belt K060960 (96-5/8")

She squeals constantly when cold. It reduces in intensity when warm at idle but above idle it is screaming! The belt is relatively new with maybe 1000 miles. It replaced another belt that was doing the same thing.

Soaped the sides: no change
Top : no change
Bottom: jackpot.

Tensioner is tensioning and showing at level 3 of acceptable tension. (1 is tightest)

All pulleys rotate freely with no resistance or grinding when belt removed.

Deflection test between alt and idler (appx 13") yielded about 1/2".

Compared current belt to new belt. Not sure if there should be such a difference here or if this is normal after break-in. New on left, current on right.



PS pulley has about .035" fore/aft play.

Pulleys look aligned although my peepers ain't what they used to be. Can some confirm?



Gonna clean pulleys and current belt next.

[blazinchuck]

let us know what you find out on the lower crank pulley...im curious

[chuzie]

used a Gates belt wear tool and the balancer pulley has the same depth grooves as the stock Ford pulleys so I do not think it is an issue. New belt for now.