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[AMMODYTE]

What a nightmare! It just won't stop!

First my idler broke, leaving my serpentine belt threadbare, but intact. Bought belt, bought idler (Autozone).

First, they sold me the wrong belt (111.5"), I got it on, but only by leaving off ome of the idler pullies (left the pulley in place, just didn't thread the belt over THAT one). BIG MISTAKE!

50 miles from home, and NOWHERE near a Diesel shop, the belt not only snapped, but took out both transmission cooling lines, AND a water hose (to heater, maybe?). Lost all the tranny fluid.

When I got the "right" (113") belt, it STILL didn't fit. I compared it to the (threadbare but still intact) old belt and it was two inches shorter. I ALSO noticed for the first time that the OLD belt was too thin, and only had 5 "ridges". I TRIED to get a 115" belt from Autozone, but the biggest they list is 114.5", which I bought (always can return it if n.g.). It is the correct width.

I cut back the transmission cooler hoses, and put new clamps on. Taped the water hose so it looks like a cacoon, and the tape is special stuff that supposedly holds 100 p.s.i. at 180 degs. For now, the too-skinny and threadbare belt is on, which I will TRY to switch for the 114.5". At least the truck is home now.

Even with the Ambulance package, the belt just isn't supposed to be that long ...right?

AMMO (lookin' like "Sambo" tonight!)

PS: The water line that I taped and want to replace is a (guess) 1" hose coming from the bottom of the radiator on the Passenger side, which terminates with a crimped fitting that makes a transition to metal tubing (like a fuel line uses). Is it a heater line? Can I simply use a pipe cutter on the tubing, and step up in sizes with pipes, hose, and clamps? What IS it anyway?