Stocker's 1985 LTD Crown Victoria

[kishy]

The belt size thing bit me 3 times - because I bought 3 belts for 3 cars based on reading past posts saying 560 (nominally 56ish") was the way to go.

560 will work if your car has had a newer aftermarket tensioner pulley installed - they are smaller diameter than the originals. It will not work if your car has the original tensioner pulley (or a replacement which is as large as the original), which is where 563 comes into play.

[sly]

I think I used a 565. I could squeeze the 560 on by removing the tensioner bolt behind the pulley completely and then put the belt on and force the pulley tight and squeeze the bolt back in... barely. PITA. 565 just worked better.

[Stocker]

The belt size thing bit me 3 times - because I bought 3 belts for 3 cars based on reading past posts saying 560 (nominally 56ish") was the way to go.

560 will work if your car has had a newer aftermarket tensioner pulley installed - they are smaller diameter than the originals. It will not work if your car has the original tensioner pulley (or a replacement which is as large as the original), which is where 563 comes into play.

That makes sense. The 563 was the only other reasonable size available locally, but the fitment turned out to be just right.