454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Any squeal I had on my 73 454 was caused by the alternator being driven off the double pulley on the power steering pump. To tighten the P/S pump belt tight enough I had to insert a spreader between the pulleys and tighten the belt then snug up the adjustment bolt. That belt is impossible to get tight by any other way I know of.

[Joe L.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Any squeal I had on my 73 454 was caused by the alternator being driven off the double pulley on the power steering pump. To tighten the P/S pump belt tight enough I had to insert a spreader between the pulleys and tighten the belt then snug up the adjustment bolt. That belt is impossible to get tight by any other way I know of.

Lyle and Lee-----


Also, check to be sure that the alternator pulley is exactly parallel to the power steering pump pulley. Some of the GM bracket set-ups for the power steering pump are "off" and cause the power steering pump pulley to be "cocked" with respect to the alternator pulley. Usually, you can just confirm this by "eyeballing".

[Lee S.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Lyle & Joe

Gentleman. You know if I had to make one guess on speculating the source of the belt squeal, I would go along with the Alternator/Power Steering theory. The power steering belt is impossible to tighten. I have already ruined one PS reservoir.

I guess I'll now ask the dumb question. In this context, what do you mean by a spreader?

[Kim F.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Lyle, Joe, Lynn, and Lee,

I have read the belt replacement discussion, I have purchased the Quanta belts, I have had the PITA experience of replacing the worn belt. I have been able to eyeball the pulleys as well.

Thank you very much for the information and discussion. It has been very useful.

Kim

[Lee S.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Did the new belts fix the noise?

[Kim F.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

They did fix the noise for about 300 miles! I have printed your description of belt replacement and saved it in the journal I am keeping. In fact I have saved all of the discussion, comments, and suggestions.

I am going to replace the belts this week end.

[Tom L.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Kim, after removing my pylleys this past weekend and finding that the groove for the crank to water pump pulley feeling a bit abrasive, I decided to glass bead them to see if it was old paint or rust making them feel that way. I beaded them last night and they seem much smoother. I'll have to wait and see what happens after the belts go on and I put a bunch of miles on it. Good luck!!

[Kim F.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Lynn,

I can glass bead the pulleys too. Thanks for the suggesting. I will let you know how it works after putting some miles on the car.

Kim

[John H.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

I guess I'll now ask the dumb question. In this context, what do you mean by a spreader?

Lee -

I don't have a photo of one, but the "spreader" is two semi-circular tools joined together by a turnbuckle arrangement; you place the curved ends in the pulley grooves of the opposing parts (with the belt in place), then turn the hex inbetween them until the belt is tight, secure the adjusting brace bolt, and remove the spreader.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Lyle & Joe

Gentleman. You know if I had to make one guess on speculating the source of the belt squeal, I would go along with the Alternator/Power Steering theory. The power steering belt is impossible to tighten. I have already ruined one PS reservoir.

I guess I'll now ask the dumb question. In this context, what do you mean by a spreader?

I made the spreader I used. Two one inch by three inch pieces of sheet metal rolled to the pulley shape. A 3/8 threaded rod welded to the center of one and a short piece of black pipe on the other. A washer and a nut on the threaded rod does the pushing to tighten the belt working from below on a lift or jack stands. I can post a picture.

[Lee S.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Thanks John. Any idea where to buy/borrow/rent one locally?

Lee

[Lee S.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

I made the spreader I used. Two one inch by three inch pieces of sheet metal rolled to the pulley shape. A 3/8 threaded rod welded to the center of one and a short piece of black pipe on the other. A washer and a nut on the threaded rod does the pushing to tighten the belt working from below on a lift or jack stands. I can post a picture.

A picture would be great. Post here or private email. I figured it would be an under car operation. I can't believe the lack of thought going into these cars regarding servicability.

Lee

[Joe L.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

A picture would be great. Post here or private email. I figured it would be an under car operation. I can't believe the lack of thought going into these cars regarding servicability.

Lee

Lee-----


I think the problem is that these cars were basically designed around a small block. The big block was an "afterthought". As a result, a LOT of serviceability problems were thereby created.

[Lee S.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Lee-----


I think the problem is that these cars were basically designed around a small block. The big block was an "afterthought". As a result, a LOT of serviceability problems were thereby created.

When you look under the hood of one of these with BB, PS, PB, AC, AIR Pump, etc., you just have to beleive that nobody ever considered the BB yet, when did BB come into C2? Wasn't it '66? C3 planning was well underway by then. Makes you think the left hand didn't speak to the right hand.

Now, if I could just find a rationalization on how anybody ever considered an eventual need to replace a positive battery cable? This is one of the all time PITA jobs. Worse than a power steering belt.

Oh well. It just feels good to vent now and then.

[Tom L.]

Re: 454 Engine alternator belt alignment.

Lee-----


I think the problem is that these cars were basically designed around a small block. The big block was an "afterthought". As a result, a LOT of serviceability problems were thereby created.

The only people that can truly understand the true meaning of your statement are those that have tried to perfom such simple tasks as change spark plugs or check the power steering fluid!