Yea I was getting on it a lil bit like usual, and then I started hearing some loud grinding/chattering sound coming from my engine. I thought something was bouncing around in the crankcase at first. I popped the hood and the belt was flapping all over the place. 2 ribs had shredded off and were hitting all kinds of stuff causing alot of belt dust and marks. Now theres just 4 ribs on there I hope it doesnt cost too much for a new belt replacement. Im pretty sure they have to pull the head unit to get it on.

 

Isn't this where the 8-rib is supposed to come into play? Helps with shredding belts?

 

8 ribs are only for high horsepower applications not us lower horsepower guys. belts just jump off sometimes mine fell off my powersteering pump when i was doing some donuts back at home about a week ago

belts are about 50 bucks +/- 5 dollars.

yup headunit just has to be unbolted to where you can slip the belt around the bottom portion of the bracket and near the altenator.

 

A belt swap takes about 10 minutes. You just stick a 3/8" ratchet in the the fitting on the tensioner and pull it down. That will release the belt. Just make sure the new one goes on the same way and be sure to check all of your idler pullies to make sure they spin fine.

 

the vortech bracket doesnt allow us to put a 3/8 drive on the tensioner. we have to use some forearm muscle to get the belts on and off.

 

oh no! One of the ribs that came off my belt got wrapped around the snout under the blower pulley. I got it out, but now oil is spitting out everywhere from around the blower pulley! Now what do I do? Im going to call vortech later.

 

you just jacked up the seals. after i shred a belt i make sure i get all the excess material out from the pullies because damamge like that is bound to happen.

 

Looks like all is not easy when it comes to blowers.

 

well its still driveable right now. I have 5 ribs left on my belt holding it together I just cant get on it. The oil seemes to have slowed down or stopped. Its still wet around the pulley but I havent tried to clean it off. Im talking it the shop tuesday and theyre gonna pull the headunit. Theylle take the pully off of it and take the seal out of the headunit. I talked to vortech and they wont even give me a size or part number for it. They say I have to send it in for all new seals and bearings. Costs $375 and takes 2 weeks. Thats a bunch of crap. Guys at Delk said they could swap it out for me. Theyre gonna do that and put a new belt on it. Maybe the seal is ok now and it fixed itself or something. Maybe ill just need a new belt. Well see on tuesday.

 

BTW, I have a Novi and can pull the tensioner right back. I did not realize the two setups were that different.

 

yea its just that the vortech bracket is so big and bulky. They could have designed it better IMO. The paxton bracket im sure is better designed so you can actually get to the tensioner.

Took it to the shop today so they could look at it. They said the seal may be OK. Said there was prolly a strand of belt that got caught under the seal and might have just worked its way out when I was driving it. Theyre just going to put a new belt on and said it would just be $50 for labor. Also gonna get me a spare seal just in case something happens down the road.

 

The brackets on the Vortechs are superior to the Prochargers. While you are at it, you should check all pulleys for wear, especially the idler and the tensioner.

 

Little it of advise. Get yourself one of those neat laser belt alignment tools... they are worth the investment.

P.s. The 8 rib upgrade is a GREAT investment.

Good luck.