What is the best belt for my 2003 Blazer 4.3 V6 with AC? Here's what Rock Auto offers for a 2003 Blzr with 4.3 L V6 and A.C. Dayco Poly Rib $21.79-------Goodyear GatorBack Poly V $23.79------Gates Micro V Premium belt $23.79-----AC Delco 6K950 $29.89 The first three of these are labeled with a 'red heart symbol' which means they are Rock Auto favorite choices.
Be careful when shopping for a serp. belt you look for the 'with AC' or 'without AC' as appropriate. The 'with AC' belt is about 95.75" in length.

 

Goodyear Gatorback

 

Does the Gatorback belt by GdYr last as long as Gates and Dayco? Which of these three are the Original Equip. Manuf.?

 

It depends on what you mean by "last as long". The gatorback belt, in my experience, has provided a very long and VERY quiet life where Gates & Dayco both start making noise after less than a year on the older v6/v8 vortec motors I have used them on. There is something about the pulley diameters that makes regular belts squeal after sometimes only months in service. Noise = slippage = heat = wear which results in a short life span.

The Gatorback belt has grooves cut into the belt surface to make it wrap easier around pulleys and actually creates more traction on the pulleys than traditional belts (think drag slicks vs a tire with tread on normal roads). From an all out wear standpoint, the Gatorback will likely wear out sooner than a traditional micro-v belt, but long before a traditional micro-v wears out, the noise will drive you to replacement so what is gained?

I don't know who the OE manufacturer is, but I have used the Gatorback belts for over 10 years now without noise or premature failure.

 

Thanks for the replies, RR3 and Swart. I am going to send Rock Auto an order for a Gatorback. Quiet, long lasting, what else could you want in a serp. belt? I will keep the old one in the storage compartment for a road side spare. When one belt drives all the accessories, you don't to be without a spare on the road.

 

Definitely go with the Gatorback. I had a cheap belt from Napa on my blazer before and it squeaked like no tomorrow. As soon as I put on the Gatorback, it was silent. I would highly recommend them over any other belt.