So it wasn't my alternator AFTER ALL! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TIMSPEED · 09-04-2004, 06:16 PM

I was just out looking at the truck, and I noticed something..my Alternator pulley is WAY crooked! So THAT'S why it hasn't been charging right AND screaming sometimes. I know what the problem is...it's my belt. The one I got on there isn't short enough, so I'm gonna go get a ½" shorter and an 1" shorter. I shoulda figgered this out LONG ago.
(But then again, I AM semi-retarded)
So, if you're having voltage problems at idle, you might wanna look into the belt.

cliffsta · 09-04-2004, 07:22 PM

i got an alternator ?, when i left my lights on and drained my battery the other day, i had a belt squealling like a mofo, im guessing it was because the alternator was working full tilt to recharge my battery? It has stopped since so i guessed thats what it was, am i correct?

Russell · 09-04-2004, 08:47 PM

Yeah, if you run your battery way down, she'll screech something nasty until the battery has charged up. Very hard on your alternator belt / alternator, lol

TIMSPEED · 09-04-2004, 09:59 PM

Actually, it wasn't the belt, it was the brackets. For some reason, I can't align the alternator with the rest of the pullies. Guess I'll get those purdy "Correct-Align" brackets from Summit.

plumbcut · 09-04-2004, 10:40 PM

if theres any squeal, something aint right.. belts should be aligned properly and TIGHT. alternators and power steering belts should never squeal. Even at full lock, my PS is quiet except for a slight noise from the pump.

pc

MylilBowTie · 09-05-2004, 03:25 AM

I haven't seen a strait alternator setup on a single truck that I have ever seen yet. They are fine for the most part until you get some rpms going then the belt will fly off or break usually. From what I have noticed the alternators always set crooked. The side where the 9/16 long bolt is out to far and the top alternator bracket is back to far.

It looks strait but if you really look at it, its not strait.

TIMSPEED · 09-05-2004, 05:53 AM

Wow, that's EXACTLY my problem MyLilBowTie! Hmm..so I guess I should just leave it then huh? But that damn squeal is ANNOYING.

TwinTurbo · 09-05-2004, 08:33 AM

...straiGHt.....

...just being a wise azz

ocbaud · 09-05-2004, 11:16 AM

on my stock engine, the bottom bracket fit perfect. on my new 350, i had to use 2 washers to make it fit snug.

and my alternator lines up perfect

maybe its the single serp. belt that it uses

http://www.ocbaud.com/pictures/engine/350side2.jpg

ocbaud · 09-05-2004, 11:20 AM

oh yeah, is it bad that i had a bad dream last night in that i was working on my truck and notcied my alt. belt was almost ripped apart in one area???

haha

SanitysBane · 09-05-2004, 02:21 PM

mines straight! but then again i have a serpentine belt sytem...

MylilBowTie · 09-05-2004, 04:11 PM

If you can get a serpentine belt setup like Eric has those help a lot. There on the newer trucks 85?-86-87 Im thinking and where stock, need alternator pulley - water pump pulley - and crankshaft pulley. Its v-belt but just the alternator is serpentine. I plan to goto this setup after I work out a deal with a friend to get the whole setup

I have been through about 5 belts, and countless times it has flipped or jumped. Im very proficient in installing the alternator belt in about 60 seconds.

**swervin ervin** · 09-05-2004, 07:26 PM

85 had V-belts. 86 had one of each. 87 had serpentine. I think. I know 85 had V-belts and the 86's I've seen had both.

BaggedC10 · 09-05-2004, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swervin ervin

85 had V-belts. 86 had one of each. 87 had serpentine. I think. I know 85 had V-belts and the 86's I've seen had both.

My 87' had V-belts.

79Silv4x4 · 09-05-2004, 11:34 PM

Mom's 87 R-10 has v-belts. . .

**swervin ervin** · 09-06-2004, 12:14 AM

Well, OK, I was wrong on the 87 trucks. But I do know for sure the 87 van I have is a serpentine belt. The 87 I-cube van I used to have was serpentine. Wonder why pickups didn't change in 87??

TIMSPEED · 09-06-2004, 04:56 AM

Well, with the shorter belt on it. I made a few trips around town. Above 3000rpm it was making like a weird "buzzing" sound, but then it stopped. Now though, there's no "SQUEAK!" when I rev it up.
But, I am going to get the Correct-Align brackets from Summit for $60 this weekend when I go up there.

09-04-2004, 06:16 PM	#1
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	So it wasn't my alternator AFTER ALL! I was just out looking at the truck, and I noticed something..my Alternator pulley is WAY crooked! So THAT'S why it hasn't been charging right AND screaming sometimes. I know what the problem is...it's my belt. The one I got on there isn't short enough, so I'm gonna go get a ½" shorter and an 1" shorter. I shoulda figgered this out LONG ago. (But then again, I AM semi-retarded) So, if you're having voltage problems at idle, you might wanna look into the belt. __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

09-04-2004, 07:22 PM	#2
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	i got an alternator ?, when i left my lights on and drained my battery the other day, i had a belt squealling like a mofo, im guessing it was because the alternator was working full tilt to recharge my battery? It has stopped since so i guessed thats what it was, am i correct? __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

09-04-2004, 08:47 PM	#3
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Yeah, if you run your battery way down, she'll screech something nasty until the battery has charged up. Very hard on your alternator belt / alternator, lol __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

09-04-2004, 09:59 PM	#4
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Actually, it wasn't the belt, it was the brackets. For some reason, I can't align the alternator with the rest of the pullies. Guess I'll get those purdy "Correct-Align" brackets from Summit. __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

09-05-2004, 03:25 AM	#6
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	I haven't seen a strait alternator setup on a single truck that I have ever seen yet. They are fine for the most part until you get some rpms going then the belt will fly off or break usually. From what I have noticed the alternators always set crooked. The side where the 9/16 long bolt is out to far and the top alternator bracket is back to far. It looks strait but if you really look at it, its not strait. __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI

09-04-2004, 10:40 PM	#5
plumbcut california fill Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sunny So-Cal Posts: 694	if theres any squeal, something aint right.. belts should be aligned properly and TIGHT. alternators and power steering belts should never squeal. Even at full lock, my PS is quiet except for a slight noise from the pump. pc

09-05-2004, 05:53 AM	#7
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Wow, that's EXACTLY my problem MyLilBowTie! Hmm..so I guess I should just leave it then huh? But that damn squeal is ANNOYING. __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

09-05-2004, 08:33 AM	#8
TwinTurbo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 994	...straiGHt..... ...just being a wise azz

09-05-2004, 11:16 AM	#9
ocbaud Garage Queen Material Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 4,129	on my stock engine, the bottom bracket fit perfect. on my new 350, i had to use 2 washers to make it fit snug. and my alternator lines up perfect maybe its the single serp. belt that it uses http://www.ocbaud.com/pictures/engine/350side2.jpg Last edited by ocbaud; 09-05-2004 at 11:19 AM.

09-05-2004, 11:20 AM	#10
ocbaud Garage Queen Material Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 4,129	oh yeah, is it bad that i had a bad dream last night in that i was working on my truck and notcied my alt. belt was almost ripped apart in one area??? haha

09-05-2004, 02:21 PM	#11
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	mines straight! but then again i have a serpentine belt sytem... __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

09-05-2004, 04:11 PM	#12
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	If you can get a serpentine belt setup like Eric has those help a lot. There on the newer trucks 85?-86-87 Im thinking and where stock, need alternator pulley - water pump pulley - and crankshaft pulley. Its v-belt but just the alternator is serpentine. I plan to goto this setup after I work out a deal with a friend to get the whole setup I have been through about 5 belts, and countless times it has flipped or jumped. Im very proficient in installing the alternator belt in about 60 seconds. __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI

09-05-2004, 07:26 PM	#13
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	85 had V-belts. 86 had one of each. 87 had serpentine. I think. I know 85 had V-belts and the 86's I've seen had both. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

09-05-2004, 11:34 PM	#15
79Silv4x4 Workaholic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 1,589	Mom's 87 R-10 has v-belts. . .

09-06-2004, 12:14 AM	#16
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Well, OK, I was wrong on the 87 trucks. But I do know for sure the 87 van I have is a serpentine belt. The 87 I-cube van I used to have was serpentine. Wonder why pickups didn't change in 87??



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09-06-2004, 04:56 AM	#17
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Well, with the shorter belt on it. I made a few trips around town. Above 3000rpm it was making like a weird "buzzing" sound, but then it stopped. Now though, there's no "SQUEAK!" when I rev it up. But, I am going to get the Correct-Align brackets from Summit for $60 this weekend when I go up there. __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

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