Squeaky Belt *still* - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevychic · 11-05-2002, 03:33 PM

I've replaced the p/s belt with a higher quality and wider belt and tightned it up pretty good and aligned the pump as it was causing the belt to sit slightly cock-eyed in the pulley. But it still squeaks.

Gonna take Slonaker's advice and sand the pulleys lightly to remove any fluid that may have gotten on them.

But one other thing was suggested to me by a local mechanic that I wanted to run by you all and see if this sounded logical. It does to me, but I haven't been around trucks enough to know any better.

The mechanic noticed that the fan pulley is a different size than the pulley that comes straight off the block. Here's a pic so you can see what I'm talking about:

Now, he said this is not normal and I don't know anybody locally that has the same engine for me to know otherwise. I've tried at looking at some of your guy's pics of your engine but they're usually not at an angle for me to see the pulleys.

He thinks that because the pulleys are 2 different sizes, the p/s belt has to spin faster than the alternator belt to keep up, causing it to slip. He said that it doesn't matter what I do, it's going to keep slipping unless I get a different pulley or not use the upper pulley at all.

He suggested getting a shorter belt and not using the upper pulley, but just the lower pulley and p/s pulley. Since the alternator belt will still be attached to the upper pulley, it will still turn the fan.

So before I try to mess with this, I wanted your input as to whether this guy is out to left field or if you think his idea could solve my problem.

BigRed · 11-05-2002, 03:45 PM

That sounds logical to me. However I've never heard of that happening though. I'm confused about the pulley configuration though. You know, what's routed where?

*Piston* · 11-05-2002, 06:45 PM

If the crank pulley is the same size on all grooves, your waterpump pulley needs to be also. Normaly your outer most pulley groove is larger (for the alternator) which allows it to spin faster. If the 2 outer pulleys are not the same size one belt is constantly making the other slip. Change either the lower crank pulley or the waterpump pulley OR like he is saying, run a shorter belt for the P/S (I've done the exact same thing on my '71 350, only for appearance reasons)
Not that this would solve your problems.. but its going to give you a bit of HP back, Grab a new or used fan/clutch assembly and get rid of that direct drive setup. Those type of fans never disengage which would give you a belt squeal at higher RPM's. Unless you have your belts VERY tight, this type of fan setup will cause the belts to squeal no matter what you do.

**swervin ervin** · 11-05-2002, 08:03 PM

Heather,

it appears the mechanic is onto something here. With both crank pulleys being the same size, both of the upper pulleys have to be the same size. As he said, it will always slip like it is now. You could just move the PS pump belt onto the crank pulley only. This would bypass the upper and end your squeal. I've never seen a setup like you have.

Take a look at this pic of my engine. As you can see both pulleys where they go around the crank pulley are the same size. The A.I.R. pulley is smaller but this doesn't matter since in doesn't go around the crank pulley.

*Piston* · 11-05-2002, 08:10 PM

Very nice lookin' setup you have there!

Slonaker · 11-05-2002, 08:40 PM

Heather:

Just to add to the confusion, I have an '86 also. My 2 pulleys are slightly different in diameter as well. Mine, though, are opposite yours. My alternator belt (closer to the radiator) is a flat belt rather than a V-belt. It is slightly smaller in diameter than the one in the back. On mine is does not matter because the pulleys on the crankshaft are different diameters, apparently to compensate.

There is also a third pulley on my water pump that turns the smog pump.

Good luck. If you need pictures, let me know.

BTW, I suggested you rough up the pulleys because they are probably polished up from all the slipping. A solvent would remove any oily resdue...

Slonaker

78SilveradoSWB · 11-06-2002, 02:01 PM

Mike:

What brand belts are you using? Those shown in your pic appear to be cog-like.

PHOENIX · 11-06-2002, 02:09 PM

I have always loved the cogs belts. I will buy some for my truck when I need new belts.

Anyway I dont know what brand Mike has but Dayco makes them and you can buy them at your local Checker or AutoZone.

They run anywhere from $6 - $20.

Most for our truck are around $8 - $12 depending on the belt.

Hope that helps

EDIT:
Here is what I found on Swervin's site.
I was there reading his joke page (damn them some funny jokes).

05/21/02 - Dayco Top Cog #15450 Power Steering Pump Belt - Advance Auto Parts
05/22/02 - Dayco Top Cog #15335 A.I.R. Pump Belt - Advance Auto Parts
05/25/02 - Dayco Top Cog #15445 Alt. Belt - Advance Auto Parts

78SilveradoSWB · 11-06-2002, 02:19 PM

Thanks!

11-05-2002, 03:45 PM	#2
BigRed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,680	That sounds logical to me. However I've never heard of that happening though. I'm confused about the pulley configuration though. You know, what's routed where? __________________ Scott Shelbourne

11-05-2002, 06:45 PM	#3
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,301	If the crank pulley is the same size on all grooves, your waterpump pulley needs to be also. Normaly your outer most pulley groove is larger (for the alternator) which allows it to spin faster. If the 2 outer pulleys are not the same size one belt is constantly making the other slip. Change either the lower crank pulley or the waterpump pulley OR like he is saying, run a shorter belt for the P/S (I've done the exact same thing on my '71 350, only for appearance reasons) Not that this would solve your problems.. but its going to give you a bit of HP back, Grab a new or used fan/clutch assembly and get rid of that direct drive setup. Those type of fans never disengage which would give you a belt squeal at higher RPM's. Unless you have your belts VERY tight, this type of fan setup will cause the belts to squeal no matter what you do. Last edited by Piston; 11-05-2002 at 06:50 PM.

11-05-2002, 08:03 PM	#4
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Heather, it appears the mechanic is onto something here. With both crank pulleys being the same size, both of the upper pulleys have to be the same size. As he said, it will always slip like it is now. You could just move the PS pump belt onto the crank pulley only. This would bypass the upper and end your squeal. I've never seen a setup like you have. Take a look at this pic of my engine. As you can see both pulleys where they go around the crank pulley are the same size. The A.I.R. pulley is smaller but this doesn't matter since in doesn't go around the crank pulley. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

11-05-2002, 08:40 PM	#6
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Heather: Just to add to the confusion, I have an '86 also. My 2 pulleys are slightly different in diameter as well. Mine, though, are opposite yours. My alternator belt (closer to the radiator) is a flat belt rather than a V-belt. It is slightly smaller in diameter than the one in the back. On mine is does not matter because the pulleys on the crankshaft are different diameters, apparently to compensate. There is also a third pulley on my water pump that turns the smog pump. Good luck. If you need pictures, let me know. BTW, I suggested you rough up the pulleys because they are probably polished up from all the slipping. A solvent would remove any oily resdue... Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

11-06-2002, 02:09 PM	#8
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	I have always loved the cogs belts. I will buy some for my truck when I need new belts. Anyway I dont know what brand Mike has but Dayco makes them and you can buy them at your local Checker or AutoZone. They run anywhere from $6 - $20. Most for our truck are around $8 - $12 depending on the belt. Hope that helps EDIT: Here is what I found on Swervin's site. I was there reading his joke page (damn them some funny jokes). 05/21/02 - Dayco Top Cog #15450 Power Steering Pump Belt - Advance Auto Parts 05/22/02 - Dayco Top Cog #15335 A.I.R. Pump Belt - Advance Auto Parts 05/25/02 - Dayco Top Cog #15445 Alt. Belt - Advance Auto Parts __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

11-05-2002, 03:33 PM	#1
chevychic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,061	Squeaky Belt still I've replaced the p/s belt with a higher quality and wider belt and tightned it up pretty good and aligned the pump as it was causing the belt to sit slightly cock-eyed in the pulley. But it still squeaks. Gonna take Slonaker's advice and sand the pulleys lightly to remove any fluid that may have gotten on them. But one other thing was suggested to me by a local mechanic that I wanted to run by you all and see if this sounded logical. It does to me, but I haven't been around trucks enough to know any better. The mechanic noticed that the fan pulley is a different size than the pulley that comes straight off the block. Here's a pic so you can see what I'm talking about: Now, he said this is not normal and I don't know anybody locally that has the same engine for me to know otherwise. I've tried at looking at some of your guy's pics of your engine but they're usually not at an angle for me to see the pulleys. He thinks that because the pulleys are 2 different sizes, the p/s belt has to spin faster than the alternator belt to keep up, causing it to slip. He said that it doesn't matter what I do, it's going to keep slipping unless I get a different pulley or not use the upper pulley at all. He suggested getting a shorter belt and not using the upper pulley, but just the lower pulley and p/s pulley. Since the alternator belt will still be attached to the upper pulley, it will still turn the fan. So before I try to mess with this, I wanted your input as to whether this guy is out to left field or if you think his idea could solve my problem. __________________ *ChevyChic* 86 Chevy K-10 If I can't be a good example, then I'll just have to be a horrible warning. "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Christopher Robin

11-05-2002, 08:10 PM	#5
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,301	Very nice lookin' setup you have there!

11-06-2002, 02:01 PM	#7
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	Mike: What brand belts are you using? Those shown in your pic appear to be cog-like.

11-06-2002, 02:19 PM	#9
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	Thanks!



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