[Shotimes] Tightening MTX Belts: When are they tight enough??

[BJamesjr@aol.com]

They are tight enough when they don't squeal any more.

You have to go by feel here.  Not the feel of the tightening process with the hex bolt because that has so much mechanical advantage that it might even break the belts if you kept going, but the feel of the belt itself.  Pick a spot where the pulleys are relatively far apart, then push sideways on the inside or outside surface of the belt to see how far it moves.  It should feel tight but still be able to move a little without pushing real hard.  You might want to find a new car to compare with.  It can damage your bearings if you tighten the belt too much, so it is better to err on the loose side.  If the belts spueal when the AC kicks in or when you crank the wheels back and forth, then the belts are too loose and you should tighten them a little.