So I noticed that my belt doesn't ride centered on the belt tensioner pulley. It's actually about 3/16" off at the front and makes contact with the aluminum arm of the tensioner. I pulled the entire assembly off and the pulley appears to be tapered which I assume is from wear, but I would think that the other accessories the belt uses would keep it centered on the pulley. What am I missing here and why is the belt not riding right??

 

I don't think you are missing anything. Sounds like you need a tensioner

 

I bypassed the AC compressor as it needs replaced and I'm not to the point where I'm ready to replace the HVAC system (spring). It's been a few weeks since I replaced the belt tensioner and I noticed yesterday that the belt is walking off the pulley and rubbing against the tensioner arm. It almost seems like the pulleys aren't aligned properly but I don't know how that can be the case. Either way the short (non-AC) belt isn't working as I planned and I'm out of ideas. Any thoughts?

 

is the crankshaft damper in good shape?
Sometimes the rubber sandwich deteriorates and the pulley
can move on the hub.

is the fan hub bearing good?

sounds like an alignment issue.

 

I've thought this same thing and pulled the fan assy off yesterday and verified that the damper is fully seated onto the crank. There was no play in the fan hub so assuming that bearing is good as well

 

They make a laser pen type alignment checking tool, strap it onto a pulley and
see where the light lands on the other pulleys. know anyone who has one?

 

I actually shimmed the tensioner out with a couple flat washers (still enough of the stud in the block and not too close to fan to cause issues). It's been fine for the last 20K or so.

D

 

Well my issue is fixed. Seems to have been multiple issues all in one. I got to messing around with it today and found that the top alternator bolt was the incorrect size which when tension was applied allowed it to move enough to throw off the belt alignment. Got the correct size bolt to match the threads of the bracket and realized that an older pre 89 alternator was used (bolt didn't go through hole in alternator) so I had to drill out the hole so the bolt would go through. Once that mess was fixed I found that the new belt tensioner was bad (squealed like a pig) so I got it replaced under the limited lifetime warranty. All is well again and the engine bay is squeak free. Thanks to everyone who provided input. Now to figure out a front suspension clunk when I hit bumps.