squealing fan

[Gene Zick]

I have a 1961 chevy apache pickup with a 350 in it. The fan belt squeals all the time on start up. I have replaced all belts, have used belt dressing, checked pulley aligment but to no avail. I took it to a chevy dealer. They said they fixed it, but it hasn't changed anything. Any ideas about why it squeals?

[63burban]

Your pulleys may be really worn and the belt is no longer riding on the sides but the bottom of the pulleys.

[jtrichard]

welcome gene.... can you put up some pics of the belts and fan?

[Gene Zick]

Attached is a view of the fan belt/ pulleys. I think the belts are riding on the shpulders of the pulley not bottoming out.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Gene Zick

Attached is a view of the fan belt/ pulleys. I think the belts are riding on the shpulders of the pulley not bottoming out.

Gene, can u move the ps belt forward to another pair of pulleys? And do you have "good" belts, like Dayton, Dayco, Gates, Gatorbacks etc.--NOT the "discout-store-brand"? The latter often squeal regardless of how tightly they are adjusted; which reminds us: belts must be adjusted properly.
Sam

[markeb01]

Another thought might be to remove one of the belts and then the other, and run the engine to determine which one is squealing. While that belt is off operate either the water pump or power steering pump by hand to see if there is excessive resistance on either one. Perhaps one or the other has a bad bearing or other problem.

[jtrichard]

since your squealing is on start up i would say its the alternator as its on the right side and as the engine turns it pulls on the fan and slacks the belt on the alternator ... try taking the wires off the alt. then start it and see if if it stills squeals and use a good quality like gates green stripe ect.

[Gene Zick]

The belts are made by GM. They are labeled GM extreme.

[jtrichard]

i have 63 c60 with 396 in it and had to go with dual belt to the alt. and fan to get the fan to turn and not slip all the time it is a big fan and the alt is on the drivers side so the slack would be on the fan yours the slack is on the alt.(pass side)

[63burban]

Yup, clutch fans take a lot of power on start up. The belt looks low on the water pump pulley, might be slipping. Loosen the belt, try to turn the pulley while holding the belt and see if it slips.

[luvbowties]

If your alternator is suspicious and it has enough adjustment left, try a longer alter. belt so it gives more of its pulley-surface-to-belt contact area. The greater the arc segment touching the belt, the better the belt grip.
Sam...see, we are not giving up!

[Gene Zick]

Bingo!! I went with a second belt on the fan/power steering side. Squealing has stopped. Imagine all the trouble I went through step by step checking everything out including taking it to a chevrolet dealer [they couldn't fix it] and it turns out a $10.00 belt does the trick. Thanks guys for all your input. Happy days are here again!