Ok, so I just found that the tensioner pully for the back belt was seized up today. Ripped off the front belt and pulled the back belt and pulled the tentioner and reinstalled the alt belt, and noticed that the alt. belt drives everything that the back belt did. Why is the back belt there? I did notice that when I tuned on the defrost when the back belt was on the car would buck for a second, but that isn't happening with the belt removed. I even turned on the ac for a minute and it seemed to work ok, it never really put out real cold air in the first place. Is it ok to just leave the belt off? I have been running with just the alt belt and seem to have no problems.

All you NEED is the belt running Alt and Water Pump off the Crank. Oil pump is ran off timing belt. I've been running one belt ever since I ditched A/C. Biggest drawback is finding the right belt... parts guys HATE looking for 'one that fits'. And heaven forbid they let you look around their belts behind the counter and spare them the trouble

Yeah, the alt belt seems to run every thing, even the ac pump it looks like, the back belt turns on everything exept the alt, so why the heck is the back belt on there in the first place? just to give the ac pump a little extra grunt?

 

I have never had any problems getting belts from the parts store, at least when in CO. Now If I decide to install a second alt. then it might get tricky.

Prolly 2 reasons; one you stated and for redundancy. Belts are a weak point.

 

Getting belts for your year/make/model is easy. Now ask the guy for a belt not by year/make/model... 9 out of 10 I get an eye roll/audible *sigh*/scowl and piss poor service from then till transaction complete. Hard to find good parts guys around here who are willing to work with you.

I here ya. I always take in the old belt just to make sure I get the right ones, I keep two small belts and two big belts stashed on the spare. I hate getting home just to turn around and exchange belts and such