1985 L98, very stock

I have a new (and noisy) serpentine belt. It replaced and old (and noisy) serpentine belt. The new serpentine belt was reversed about 100 miles ago, which temporarily made the noise go away. It's back, though driving for a while does seem to quiet it at least somewhat.

Any thoughts on how to permanently quiet it? Someone mentioned taking a look at the tensioner, but I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Your tensioner will have marks on the housing and a line on the side with the pully to show if things are within range. It's mostly for detecting a stretched belt.
If the new belt went on easily, your tensioner may be weak.
Generally, new belts go on tight the first time.

This is a 92 tensioner showing the marks.

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The other possibility for belt squeal is misaligned pulleys.
IF you can fit a straght edge on the front of the pulleys, you can check it. But it's not easy to do with all the hoses in place.

Thanks, Bill. Readying my car for judging always brings out some weird questions for the Gurus ...

... though this one is really just an annoyance.

You also have an idler pulley in there, IIRC.

If you need one, I think I still have an L98 tensioner, but I don't think it is OEM.

What you can also do for a noisy belt is to get belt treatment. It's a lube that stops the squeak.

Also, if it IS a pulley, you can use a big screwdriver, or even buy an automotive stethoscope, and listen to each accessory. That will help you find a bad bearing or what not.

Does the belt wobble a lot? If so, then the tensioner is bad.

I have had alignment problems with the L98 belt drive. The AC bracket is made of pig metal and is prone to warping... same with the alternator bracket. All in all, a real annoying mess. I like Bill's idea of testing with a straight edge. and making sure each step of the belts path is straight with the last one.

I just replaced both pulleys, the on my tensioner and the idler and mine is now quiet! It used to drive me nuts.

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Agreed on the idler and listening to them.

Two pullys that can possibily be misaligned (rare but worth checking) are the crank pully that could move if the rubber gets worn out (again rare). Or the power steering pully could be installed at the wrong depth, should be flush to the shaft + .030.

Also, Good year belts are quiter.

Just a reminder - A bearing making noise is a tell tale sign that something is wrong. If the idler or tensioner bearing fails and seizes then it will burn or throw the belt off. In turn the belt tears up wiring, hoses, etc.

In other words I suggest you find out what is going on before driving too far.

yea, 95vette is so very right. I had that happen when I tossed a belt... ate up the LTCC harness. Car was down for nearly 2 weeks.

I DO have an L98 tensioner. If you want it, lemme know.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will report back sometime next week - we're on the road until then in the car that just works ...