first off, hello. been a dodge guy forever but i'm kind of stumped on this one. i drive a dodge full size van. 318 engine heavy half ton. my AC compressor bearings are noisy but don't need to go the route of replacing. would like to know if anyone out there knows what belt i would need to bypass the AC unit. the standard serpentine belt for the 318 W/O AC is too short. appreciate the help. ~doubleT

 

Take the compressor off and install this pulley kit in it's place. Keep using the original belt you used with the compressor.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Dorman-Product...ductId=1359673

 

alloro, thanks. i didn't want to go that route but looks like i may have to. thought it would be easier to get a belt that fits. might have to order the pulley. thanks again. ~doubleT

 

Rockauto.com The best Goodyear Gaterback belt for under $15. Anyone can afford that one.

Yes, get the Doorman tensioner/pulley assembly. The coil spring is teflon coated with a plastic lubricated sleeve wrapped in the coil. Thus, no rust and the engine will feel better not being bogged down and loosing Hp and MPG.

 

delete

 

in exchange for the 'too short' belt, i'm going to try a bit longer belt and see if this works. if not i will go with the tension pulley. i'll let you guys know my results.
what gets me is the same pulleys for a W/AC and no/AC are the same. it's hard to believe that the 318 mounting of these pulleys would be different. thus, since the no/ac belt wont work they must of used a different pulley on the power steering unit, water pump or alternator which i would think would be unusual. whatever the difference is i'm not sure.

 

When kicking back the belt tensioner pulley, the socket is a 15mm. Do not use a deep socket since the fan and shroud get in the way. Use a 2ft break bar on the socket wrench. It makes life so much easier slipping that belt back on.

Oh, to slip the belt back on, at first you would think the belt is too short, well, you need to really move that tensioner all the way. Also the belt can hang down below on the power steering pulley guide-lip making it hard to get on. I'm just glad these vans are more off the ground to slide under and realign.

If you get a new tensioner and pulley assembly, you must remove the alternator to reach the third bolt. Also, the oil dipstick could be in the way. It pops out, BUT before getting that tube out, wipe clean the base to the engine block so no crude gets in the oil inside.

If done right, the job only takes 20 to 40 mins.

PS, be careful about the ground strap on the coil to the belt tensioner-pulley mounting bracket if it still there. On some vans, these just rusted away.

PSS, do not get the smaller wire of the alternator confused with the bottom wire to the coil. The van will not start. (ah, might I say, been there an done that recently. haha)