Serpentine Belt Question

[ScanmanSteven]

Explorer serpentine belt setup. I fabricated a P series saginaw pump serpentine bracket and had planned on an idler pulley between the alternator and power steering pump. The belt I bought ended up being tight without using the idler pulley, but it's 17" between the alt and pump. Is that too long of a span without a pulley pushing down on the belt to keep vibrations down?

 

[malcolmzilla]

Mustang "short" front dress using the alternator as a manually adjustable tensioner runs a length like that from the alt to the ps pump, works fine. Make sure the deflection (tension) is within spec.