Tensioner Pulley Size?

Recently the bearings for the tension pulley froze and the pulley fell off. I went to replace it and was given a 3 inch (76mm) pulley. The belt was very hard to get on and is too tight. Does anyone know the size of the tension pulley for the main drive belt? 97.5 regal gs 3.8 SC

I'm assuming you lost the original tensioner pulley and cannot compare the replacement to the original. The 3" size looks correct to me for the main serpentine drive tensioner pulley.

The pulley fell off and is gone. All that was left was the bearing. When i put the 3 inch pulley on i had to really try to stretch the belt on. Once i released the wrench from the pulley bolt, the pulley barely moved. It was tight. Also the ungrooved side of the belt seems to be wearing very fast. I tried 2 differant part stores and both of them tried to give me a 3.5 pulley at first. One parts guy stated that my car had 2 belts. One does the ps pump and alternator and the other does water pump and A/C.. I told him no, 1 belt does the SC and the other belt does all the accessories. He looked at me like i had 2 heads and told me the computer is never wrong... I got really pissed off. Another part store told me i need to buy the whole tensioner, to get the pulley. He said that it comes as a unit and that i cant get the pulley off alone.....More BS. i guess ill try calling the dealer on Monday. I dont want to buy it from them, but will try to pump them for info.

Hey I had the same thing happen to my 96 Regal. I bought the pulley which had the bearing in it at Advance Auto. No problem with the fit. But, mine did not have the supercharger engine. I also bought a new belt since the old one was chewed up by the bad pulley. Sounds like the parts stores you dealt with had their you know what up their you know what. If you you go to the Autozone or Advance Auto website, it may tell you what you need as far as diameter goes. I didn't look myself. But you can do a search for parts using your year, make and model at both websites. Also it will tell you where the nearest store is near you.

^^^The Autozone site is worthless on determining serpentine tensioner pulley size. The 3" size for the main serpentine drive belt tensioner pulleys are standard for the '97 and up Regals whether SC or NA. The major difference on the 97 model is there were two designs of serpentine drive belts available. 1st design and 2nd second design.

AC Delco 6K930 and 6K935. The latter is 1/2 inch longer. Also, I have the part numbers for the GoodYear Gatorback serpentine drive belt if the poster wants them.

I would replace the complete tensioner since they are known flaky for the 97 model year.


Gatorback Gatorback Part # 4060935 93 1/2" BELT - Matches AC Delco 6K935
Gatorback Gatorback Part # 4060930 93" BELT - Matches AC Delco 6K930

Final note: I measured the pulley on my 97.5 GTP. 3" with Gatorback 93 1/2" size belt.

Thanks Bob you were 100% correct. When the pulley fell off, the belt had to be replaced. They gave me a 3.5 pulley and a 93 inch belt. I went back and told them it was the wrong pulley. They gave me a 3 in. pulley. It fit but was too tight. I assumed it was the wrong pulley again. After your advice i found a store that had the 93.5 (second edition) belt. Now it fits perfect..............P.S. the guy at auto barn showed me the whole tensioner part and it looked cheap. Looked like pressed aluminum. I also noticed that the heater hoses run through it