Vintage Air Top Mount Squeal

[prodjay10]

Ict has 2 recommendations for belt using stock accessories depending on amperage of alternator.
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[1970 CST Short Wide]

Originally Posted by 04ls1gto

I'll have to check tension on mine, sounds like they want it tight

Me to, I have the Kwik mount and just today it started to squeal. Belt dressing helped but it’s not the answer
Thanks for the Part #

[65blackfleetside]

I had to purchase a laser alignment tool to fix my belt alignment issue.
My serpentine belt kept walking. with this I was able to solve the problem:

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-91006-S...0280585&sr=8-2

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by cebra

Belt squeal issue resolved: I removed the tensioner shim and put in a shorter belt that Kwik recommended after calling. The part number is Gates K061115 and it 1" shorter than what they recommended in the instructions. My tensioner on the previous belt was completely released and the belt wasn't very tight, this one I had to pry the belt on to the tensioner with a screwdriver when installing.

Sounds like it's too tight.. what does the marks on the tensioner show?

[Scott2]

Mine is squealing as well. It just started and I think the belt stretched and is now slightly long so the tensioner is almost to the stop. This appears to allow the belt to rub against itself on the idler pulley above it. Just picked up a shorter belt today to try.

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by Scott2

Mine is squealing as well. It just started and I think the belt stretched and is now slightly long so the tensioner is almost to the stop. This appears to allow the belt to rub against itself on the idler pulley above it. Just picked up a shorter belt today to try.

You got a picture of the setup? Tensioner marks?

[65blackfleetside]

If it makes you feel any better I started off with a Kwik front accessory set up. None of it fit correctly. Sent it back. I am on my 3rd or 4th ICT set up. ICT dropped the ball with me 2x's They were way out of alignment on kit 3 that they sent me. These serp belts will walk if they are out of alignment by 1-2mm.
If I were to build another one of these trucks I would look for a different supplier. Although not the prettiest- The OEM GM accessory brackets are the most proven and reliable. I would bet that GM spent more $ on R&D than all of these after market companies combined?

- Had I mounted the motor another 3" higher I probably could have used all of the OEM brackets .

[Scott2]

Originally Posted by 87chevy.com

You got a picture of the setup? Tensioner marks?

Here’s a few pics. You can see contact between the belt above the tensioner and the underside of the idler pulley. That’s with the 114” belt recommended by Kwik and the tensioner is almost fully relaxed. The next smaller belt is a 113” and I can’t get it installed even with the tensioner fully compressed.

[prodjay10]

Have you tried putting the belt on the tensioner, compression it the slipping the belt over a smooth pulley like the water pump?

[65blackfleetside]

Originally Posted by Scott2

Here’s a few pics. You can see contact between the belt above the tensioner and the underside of the idler pulley. That’s with the 114” belt recommended by Kwik and the tensioner is almost fully relaxed. The next smaller belt is a 113” and I can’t get it installed even with the tensioner fully compressed.

Scott,
What is the diameter of that pully? I have a box of idlers and maybe a tensioner or two left over from my projects. I may have a smaller one for you?

[Scott2]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

Have you tried putting the belt on the tensioner, compression it the slipping the belt over a smooth pulley like the water pump?

Good point - need to work that approach again. Started trying that - it's very tight then ran out of time! Daughter showed up with her car, my son just got a little Civic - and everyone needed something! Plus I started a Jeep J10 LS swap and general updating project for my son (under alternate tinkerings) but he decided that tinkering on cars and trucks isn't really his "thing" and he wanted to drive a car now. So that one is my project alone now. I'll get a friend and another set of hands and try to get that belt on.

[Scott2]

Originally Posted by 65blackfleetside

Scott,
What is the diameter of that pully? I have a box of idlers and maybe a tensioner or two left over from my projects. I may have a smaller one for you?

I'll check - thanks!

[cebra]

...and my belt squeal is back, this is by far the most frustrating piece of my build. Took the bracket off, remounted it using the "resolve the squeal" instructions from Kwik and fingers crossed it isn't squealing but I have had this thing off and on so many times, changed belts, shimmed every way imaginable, changed tensioners and the squeal ALWAYS comes back.

[cebra]

Originally Posted by Scott2

Here’s a few pics. You can see contact between the belt above the tensioner and the underside of the idler pulley. That’s with the 114” belt recommended by Kwik and the tensioner is almost fully relaxed. The next smaller belt is a 113” and I can’t get it installed even with the tensioner fully compressed.

The directions from Kwik say to replace the tensioner pulley with a smooth pulley. From VA, mine came with a tensioner with the smooth pulley already installed. May help you but who knows, every change I make seems to temporarily fix the issue and it keeps returning.

[Scott2]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

Have you tried putting the belt on the tensioner, compression it the slipping the belt over a smooth pulley like the water pump?

This approach worked! It was tough getting it on the water pump and I had to take it off the new Kwik idler pulley first and then pry it back on after it was on the water pump pulley. Works and no squeak! There’s room now between the pulleys. Thanks!

[87chevy.com]

Still out of normal range.



A slightly smaller.beltnor a slightly larger idle pulley.

[prodjay10]

I wonder if you need a relocation kit for one of the pulleys. Ict says if I use factory accessories and the factory alternator mount, then I’d need a relocation kit for an idler.

[Scott2]

Originally Posted by 87chevy.com

Still out of normal range.



A slightly smaller.beltnor a slightly larger idle pulley.

Hmmm - I suppose that's correct, however, it works, makes no noise, and it was a pain to get the belt on there so I will wait this one out and see how it goes. I do appreciate the observation though!

[cebra]

Originally Posted by Scott2

This approach worked! It was tough getting it on the water pump and I had to take it off the new Kwik idler pulley first and then pry it back on after it was on the water pump pulley. Works and no squeak! There’s room now between the pulleys. Thanks!

What belt and tensioner are you using? I put a new alternator on mine as I thought it may have bearing issues....belt squeal just got louder. Thus far I have tried 2 different tensioners, 2 belts (Gates K061115-111.29" and K061123-112.37") and I just ordered K061120-111.99" as 1123 is too long (squeal on acceleration) and K061115 is too short (had to pry on and it squealed constantly), and more shims and adjustments than I can even recall. I still think the tensioner is too weak for such a long belt, I can move it by hand. My Audi 4 banger has a much more robust tensioner and the original GM tensioner for the long belt was very robust. I have over 20 hours and $150 in belts/tensioners in trying to get this thing to work.

On a side note, every time I request a refund from Vintage Air they send me to Kwik. The Kwik folks said they had a new prototype to fix issues and would send me one but never have. I am getting pretty annoyed that VA keeps sending me to Kwik when VA is the one that sold me the kit.

[YoungPup1977]

Originally Posted by cebra

What belt are you using? I put a new alternator on mine as I thought it may have bearing issues....belt squeal just got louder. Thus far I have tried 2 different tensioners, 2 belts (Gates K061115-111.29" and K061123-112.37") and I just ordered K061120-111.99" as 1123 is too long (squeal on acceleration) and K061115 is too short (had to pry on and it squealed constantly), and more shims and adjustments than I can even recall. I still think the tensioner is too weak for such a long belt, I can move it by hand. My Audi 4 banger has a much more robust tensioner and the original GM tensioner for the long belt was very robust. I have over 20 hours and $150 in belts/tensioners in trying to get this thing to work.

On a side note, every time I request a refund from Vintage Air they send me to Kwik. The Kwik folks said they had a new prototype to fix issues and would send me one but never have. I am getting pretty annoyed that VA keeps sending me to Kwik when VA is the one that sold me the kit.

Can you provide a few pics of your setup ?

[cebra]

If anyone has successfully got the Kwik LS Top Mount AC Bracket to work, could you please post your setup (belt, tensioner, engine, alternator amperage)? Right now I have 40+ hours invested, 4 belts, 2 tensioners, 2 alternators, and paid a shop for 2 hours labor and she is still squealing. I have so much time and money into this now I would like to get it figured out but if anyone else has a top bracket that actually works post that too please. I know of Dirty Dingo, ICT, and Alan Grove but see folks are having issues with ICT as well.

[MDPotter]

For what it's worth, here is the setup on my dad's:
-Gen 4 5.3 out of a 2012 Silverado
-Amp: unknown, remained stock
-Kwik setup - part #141808 from Vintage Air
-Tensioner: 2002 Z28 (GM
-Belt: Gates K061140

His had the same squeal. He took it to a local shop that has experience with these systems and they did some shimming that helped a little, but didn't fix it. It has faded out over time.

I'm not sure what I'll do on mine - I might try the low mount setup if I have room. I suggested the high mount setup to my dad because it's easier to access but I'm not sure I want to take the gamble on mine.

[TA_C10]

Jeez. I found your thread... I will let you know what happens with mine... This sounds painful...

[04ls1gto]

I have struggled with the same belt issues and am thinking of trying the Holley AC bracket to see if it fixes issue. Has anyone changed bracket to a different brand?

[cebra]

Yeah, this is the most frustrating issue I have ever deal with in my 20 years of working on cars as just when you think you may have found the right combination of alternators, belts, tensioners, ac bracket configuration, and ps pump....bam, it starts squealing again. I just got another updated bracket from Kwik I plan to put on this weekend and if that doesn't fix it I will return it and go with Alan Grove which looks to be a more robust design. I have not heard of anyone having success with this bracket thus far but please post if you figured it out; the crazy thing is Kwik/VA say they rarely see anyone with issues with this bracket. I have a collection at this point of 4 belts, 3 alternators, 2 ps pumps, 2 tensioners, and 2 ac brackets to try and find the right combination that gets the junk tensioner in its tension range (1/2" longer belt goes from too tight to too loose; one you have to pry on with a screwdriver and the other you can pull off with the tensioner released).