Serpentine Belt

Many years ago when my first Ford that had a serpentine belt was starting to get cracks in it, I asked the mechanic that I had gotten to know and trust, said that Ford had told them not to worry about those belts until they started loosing rubber.

Dusty

I guess it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Following up on the information I had from years ago which I posted above, I find that Dayco has replaced their line of Polycog belts with Dayco Poly Rib Gold Label belts. I found this statement on https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/dayco-qa/

Ed Rammel, Vice President Marketing, Dayco Rubber Products wrote:
Poly-cog belts were designed to improve overall durability by increasing the flexibility of the belt as it bends around accessory pulleys. Dayco’s new Poly Rib W profile belts are not cogged, but use a new rubber formulation, EPDM, which increases the overall durability without the cogs, and improves the noise resistance of the belt by allowing the rib tips to flex whenever entering misaligned pulleys. Poly Cog belts were designed and introduced to the aftermarket in 1989 based on the serpentine drives and belt technology that existed at that time. The Poly Rib W profile belt was first introduced in 2007 and incorporated the newest rubber formulations along with the improved rib profile, designed to flex and conform in worn aftermarket drives.

Dayco has been in business for over 105 years and also makes a quality product right here in the USA supply belts to the OEM market.

I have had good experiences with Gates belts on my RV and pickup. Have a Dayco on the car. It's noisey but is holding up just fine.

Without a doubt, the Gatorback cog belt is the one to use. Another very good belt is the Dayco Polycog belt. Be sure you use a cog belt whatever you do. They're the only ones that stand up to the torture of the heat and work they need to do.

I use them on my Aerostar because none of the other "premium" belts lasted more than a month with the air conditioner on in the hot summer weather. The Gatorback belts last for years and years. Don't waste your money on anything else.

RV.net post on Ford F-53 fanbelt from 2005

I like the Gatorback line from Goodyear
When i replace the belt on this 460
It's going to be a Gatorback poly v serpentine belt