After my March 1992 FD engine was replaced in 1996 due to the #2 rotor e-shaft oil jet coming unscrewed, I have had some PS pump alignment problems.
Right after the new engine install, I had to place a thin washer between the PS pulley and the bearing. This moved the pulley forward about 1/16" to prevent the belt from running over the front edge and cutting off 1 rib.
This worked fined until this year when I installed the RX-8 AC compressor kit. It immediately started shredding the belt.
Using a straight edge and a DAYCO pulley alignment kit, my PS pulley is out of plane with the engine main pulley.
I had to use different washers between the PS pump and the PSA/AC bracket t get it to work but not perfectly.

Do you think the PS/AC bracket is warped and should be replaced?

 

It could be that the three bolts behind the ps pulley may be loose or not aligned correctly.

 

Not that and to be correct there are 4 bolts.


Lately when the engine first started and all is cold, the belt squeaked on the PS pulley. After it warmed up the squeak stop.
Thus yesterday I removed the belt and reinstalled the PS pump in a stock manor. The PS pulley aligns with the AC pump but still not the e-shaft pulley.
New belts are not in perfect alignment due to packaging warping., Took a new belt and soaked for a while in very hot water. This released the stress and it flatten out in one plane for the outer edges.
Put the new belt on and it ran cold and hot without any noise or rib hopping.

Another possible problem is the ribs on American micro rib belts are two square and not V shaped enough and not deep enough. Thus they have to wear a lot to fit better.
If two pulleys are a little out of alignment but far apart, the belt can bend a little to compensate.
I need to check a friends FD's pulley alignment to compare to mine.

 

Hey Howard -

I've seen similar issues, had a lot of issues with belt noise on my car when I got it. Few things I found -

- There is a spacer between the idler pulley and the bracket, there seems to be different thicknesses of this spacer depending on year maybe? Never really found a correlation as to why some seem to be different.
- Some cars seem to want the pulley installed "backwards" with the lip towards the front of the car.
- Pettit has a replacement aluminum idler pulley that I've run for years with zero issues or fit problems. Not sure if it's still around.

Dale

 

What PS pulley are you using? OEM? Any photos? I doubt the PS/AC aluminum bracket is bent. Have you tried another pulley?

 

There are only three bolts behind the pulley like i said

 

Stock pulley and it rotates true.

 

Some people just loved to lose.

 

There are only 3 behind the pulley like i said. Nice try