Hello - I decided to delete the A/C on my '97 3.8 so I bought a non-a/c belt and changed the idler pully to the "non-ac" version (flat pully vs. grooved due to different belt routing) BUT the problem is now the tensioner cannot take any slack out of the belt as if the belt is too long. The tensioner is not taking any slack out of the belt at all..... There must be a bigger size pully somewhere on the non-ac setup or something? I am working with a 6k832 (88932759) AC delco non-ac belt. Maybe I need a tad shorter belt? Any ideas? Thanks.

I don't know if this is drawn to scale but in the pic the "with a/c" illustration on the right it looks like a smaller pully on the power steering?? Tensioners are the same on a non a/c vs. a/c 3.8?

 

You need to have the pulley that takes the place of the AC comp on the engine. Good luck finding one I doubt that GM still makes the brackets for this rare option.

PLus why are you removing the AC? You do know that it only draws on your HP when it is on right? The comp pully idles just about as free as any idler pulley when the system is not turned on. Just letting you know.

Massey

 

An original 3.8 with the a/c delete did not use a pully/bracket in place of the comp. Instead, a grooved idler is used and the belt is run around it rather than a smooth faced idler that had the belt running up against it. You can see this in the a/c vs. no a/c belt routing diagram above. Getting the non-ac grooved idler was an easy in stock part at NAPA.

I travel far from home frequently with my 3.8 and after the original comp locking up then a used one now getting noisy it makes no sense to keep it. Plus, my a/c is leaking in multiple places as per a dye test and I am not sinking money into trying to fix that.

 

Weight reduction!

 

The new belt should be a 833K6 or 060833. So the belt you bought was the right one for the application. Check the markings on the belt to make sure they match the sleeve.

Yes the tensioner is the same with our with out AC. Earlier I was thinking about the 3.4L engines. Those have to use the A/C delete pulley assy, and the new belt is a little smaller than with AC. So if you cant get the tension on the belt then a smaller belt is in order. Oh and the PS only has 1 pulley available.


Massey