Now Jeff....settle down. You are right about the cost of the serpentine belt. The Lisle serpentine belt sells for about 25 bux. Each of my two belts sells in the range of 5 bux, so the argument that the serpentine belt is cheaper is not true. Now, as far as a special tool to replace a serpentine belt, there definitely is one and it's call a tensioner tool. I have struggled with a breaker bar with a socket attached to it to replace my father-in-laws serpentine. As far as having never broken a serpentine, I have and it was in the middle of nowhere late at night. I slept in the car that night because when the serpentine breaks, you are dead in the water.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MVCGYK/...p;linkCode=asn

 

I'm settled quite down, unfortunately!

I can respect an opinion that the v-belt looks better, performs quite well and are cheaper. I was merely pointing out the hyperbole of eastenmotors that the belts cost $80. As for the special tensioning tool, not only does my 5.0L serpentine setup not require one. Neither does it require a tension guage which I'm sure all of you are using with your v-belts.

 

Here is what Idug up on the advantages of a Serpentine. Makes sense....except the part about the alternator. The driver will see a very bright red warning light if the alternator belt breaks.
"
It is more efficient than the older multiple belt system. By using a single, wider belt instead of multiple, thinner belts, the belt may be put under increased tension without stretching. Higher tension reduces slip, which increases belt life and mechanical efficiency. Reduced slip can allow the use of lower-ratio pulleys; this reduces the load on the engine, increasing gas mileage and available power. Additionally, it is easier for the driver to know when the belt has broken, since this will cause the steering resistance to suddenly increase. With multiple belt systems, if a single belt breaks, such as the alternator belt, the driver may not realize that there is a problem until the engine fails completely.

 

i was looking at serpentines online for a friends 05 the other nightand saw an 80$ price tag, i believe it was at summit as for the source...but tension gauge usually just feel by hand if itis pretty tense anddoesnt have but a fraction of travel and every pully is spinnin your good to go...

 

I bought a March serpentine pulley conversion kit for about $200. Comes with Alt, water pump and crank pullies. The water pump pulley is also grooved so you can keep your regular rotation water pump.

 

Are you happy with it? Is it doing what you want it to do, and why did you add (spend the money for) the serpentine pulley system?

 

You've got to find a new source for parts!!!

Try www.rockauto.com for stock-type replacement items for plenty of choices (they usually list 3 or 4 manufacturers for each item), in stock and quick delivery. They list the '05 GT serpentine belt (Gates p/n K061015) for $24.79.

Even if you don't buy there, it is a good resource to look up a part number and get an idea what a part looks like!

I was just ribbing on the tension guage. I always do the v-belts by feel and even the serpentines that don't come with auto tensioners (my '99 Jeep TJ).

Peace,
Jeff

 

soaring i seen that tool before i just shove a 3/8 long handle ratchet in the hole works well

 

Soaring, nice work on finding the benefits, I have never thought of a couple of these bennies.

Beware on the Zoops setup, the adjustment is limited and it doesn't have the OEM tensioner (and the tensioner was a big reason for me to go Serpentine - I had issues with belts in a couple of old ricers that I restored - Supra and 280Z). The single bracket unit from Vintage is unique and according to them patent pending - the one thing not advertised is that you will need to add an electric fuel pump with this (but what the heck, it's only another $80 or so, after spending this much, this was like phone change).

I just got my Vintage serpentine unit with the A/C - I got the "builder" price from a "friend of a friend" - $2,775 for the fully polished unit with A/C (everything is polished including the Sanden compressor, lines, bracket, water pump, pulleys, etc.). I have been working the past 2 days on the bodywork and haven't taken it out of the box yet, if I take it out tonight, I'll post pics

 

I am happy with it. The kit turns the alternator and water pump when the crank it spinning, not sure what else I want it to do, the engine stays cool, but I think it has to do with the Aluminum cross flow, electric fan and the Victor Jr water pump. I added it because I needed pullies for the engine build. All pulley combos (V belt) I had tried had alignment problems. Hmm, my 351w came with a serpentine belt tensioner too and thought it was convenient rather than having to mess with loosening and tinghtening alt bolts and getting the belt tension correct.