Talked to my parts supplier, (carquest account) Gates has had some major problems with material that there belts are made of. They are re-doing the process or material in which the belts are made. Apparently this is a on going problem in all there belt products.


Purchased a Gatorback belt from Autozone. They claim that they dropped Gates and Dayco as wholesalers, and picked up Goodyear to supply all there belts. I have know Idea how true this is, however, I don't really care. (part # 4061182, 03', 145 amp single alt, no vaccum pump, w/ A/C and 4x4)


Anyway, I put the belt on, and I noticed that the belt seemed to be about 1/2 inch shorter than the new Gates belt (300 miles old). Maybe the belt has streched that much in 300 miles, I don't know. I do know this, that belt design is like comparing Revo's to racing slicks in tread design. (way more aggressive).

Have 500 miles on this belt, no noise whatsoever. Also noticed that the marks on the tensioner have only moved a hair. So far so good, maybe chevy needs to keep on eye on Dieselplace for some advice on belts instead of replacing 100,000 belt and tensioners every year.


Just on man's opinion! Thanks;)