Belt and tensioner

[03Alerosil]

Hey everyone, I am looking at replacing my belt and tensioner. Any suggestions on brands? What is the difference between the first and second design? I will probably replace my alternator too as the factory one has 140k on it and my audio is aftermarket.

I use a Dayco tensioner (has a stronger spring) and a Gates Racing belt (although a standard Gates or Dayco belt will work fine for most).

[03Alerosil]

Originally Posted by mfuller

I use a Dayco tensioner (has a stronger spring) and a Gates Racing belt (although a standard Gates or Dayco belt will work fine for most).

Thanks. Do you know the gates part number for the belt

Originally Posted by 03Alerosil

Thanks. Do you know the gates part number for the belt

GATES Part # K060868 for the standard replacement.

[03Alerosil]

Originally Posted by mfuller

GATES Part # K060868 for the standard replacement.

Thanks again. How does the gates belt perform? I had a dayco once on a ford pick up and didnt like it because it seemed to melt on my pulleys. that was with a new dayco tensioner, I do like the dayco tensioners though and will be getting one for my alero. Any opinions on the gatorback belt? I have the first design belt which is 86.4" long and the gatorback is 87.25". I found out which belt i have because I was able to read the factory Gm part number on the belt which is 12569376.

I honestly have never had any problems with the Gates belt. I had a Goodyear Gatorback belt years ago, but threw it away because it was constantly squealing.

[03Alerosil]

I was leaning towards the gates belt and will probably go with that belt, dayco tensioner, and a dayco idler pulley.

Thanks for the help

[rocketfast321]

Gates is a very stiff belt, if you got one that was sitting on the rack for awhile it will chirp till its broken in.

[zzyzzx]

Opinions on the belt will be all over the place! I used a Dayco since my Gatorback shredded and it's easy to buy the Dayco ones, and I needed it right away. In so far as the tensioners, I don't like the Dayco ones, but that depends upon the car, since some Dayco tensioners are actually good. I bought a Motorcraft tensioner for my Escort, and it was made by Litens (in Canada) just like the original one was. The Dayco one for the Escort was crap compared to the OE one. Not sure how that would compare to the one for a V6 Alero. At least with the Dayco tensioner you can look at one on the store and see if you think it would be OK. Under no circumstances should you ever get a Dorman tensioner. It's like a cheap Chinese knockoff of a Dayco.

Can someone fill me on on this stronger spring aftermarket tensioner? Sounds nice, but I have never heard that one before, and am still using the OE one.