The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Engine & Drivetrain

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-11-2016, 10:10 PM   #1
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Belt Woes..

Ever since I got this truck the alternator belt has given me so many issues. The second day I had the truck the alternator belt wrapped itself around the fan and just tore itself to shreds.

I replaced it in the parking lot and got home, ever since then my belt has just been giving me issues. I replaced the alternator today, and tightened the belt as much as my back would allow up on that big tire. Yet as soon as I left work my voltage dropped and I could smell the belt burning/slipping on the pulley. And then I pulled over to inspect, but the belt has cut itself in half and flown off!

Whats going on? I tighten it as much as I humanly can but still slips and comes off. I've heard of deeper V belt pulleys helping but I am not sure on what to do. Maybe a special tool to yank the alternator to put more tension on my belt?

Its a built 454 with AC, PS but no air/smog pump.
__________________
"Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service."

My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2016, 10:48 PM   #2
Captainfab
60-66 Nut

 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,252
Re: Belt Woes..

It is impossible to say without seeing what you have, but it sounds like an alignment issue with the pulleys. Is this in the '84 K30 in your signature?
__________________
Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE
Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE
Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE
Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE
Captainfab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2016, 10:52 PM   #3
'63GENIII
Registered User
 
'63GENIII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Carlos, Ca.
Posts: 3,048
Re: Belt Woes..

Miss alignment or possibly one or more of the accessories are dragging causing too much strain on the belt? If you look from the side of the belt(s), they should be darned near in line with each other. If one pulley is slightly off, you can have some problems. Id also try watching (make sure to stay out of the line of the belt) all of the pulleys while the engine is running to see / hear if you can pinpoint the problem. The belts on my 396 required a little maintenance more than I liked. I went with a factory serpentine set up and never looked back. No power steering belt squeal since.
__________________
Chris


'63 k15 long step
Vortec 7.4 - L29 Blackbear tune, Five 0 Motorsports injectors, Chris Straub Cam, NV4500, divorced 205
52" front and 63" rear spring swap
D44 / 14bff - disc axles
Milemarker 9K and 10.5K hydraulic winches

63" & B52 Spring Install http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ng+swap+thread


NV4500 Reverse Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=reverse+build

L29 - 7.4 Vortec Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=L29
'63GENIII is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 11:49 AM   #4
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Re: Belt Woes..

Yes this is on my '84 K30. I looked to see if I could visibly notice any misalignment on the belt system but I can't see anything. I will double check though.
__________________
"Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service."

My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 02:14 PM   #5
storm9c1
*** That's interesting ***
 
storm9c1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,772
Re: Belt Woes..

V-belts are not supposed to ride deeply in the groove. Too much friction is generated that way. I'd lean more toward a wider belt if you can find one. Ideally, the flat side should be flush with the pulley.

If there is any way to post a picture of your setup, perhaps a side view so we can look at alignment, that might help.
__________________
Tom
Chevy by day...
1969 Chevy C30 Rollback Tow Truck -- 383 stroker, 4L80E
2011 Chevy Caprice PPV 9C3 6.0L
1995 Chevy Caprice 9C1
1994 Chevy Caprice 9C1 #3
1995 Chevy Caprice Wagon #2
1995 Chevy Impala SS
Mopar by night...
1969 Dodge Charger
1972 Chrysler Newport 2dr Hardtop (27K miles)

Plus others...
storm9c1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 06:14 PM   #6
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Re: Belt Woes..

I'll get some taken and post them soon. My coolant/heater and AC lines are in the way some so it'll be hard to view but I'll post some up.
__________________
"Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service."

My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 06:27 PM   #7
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Posted via Mobile Device
Attached Images
 
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 10:20 PM   #8
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Re: Belt Woes..

heres some more.
Attached Images
     
__________________
"Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service."

My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 10:34 PM   #9
68is4me
Registered User
 
68is4me's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: lakefield,mn
Posts: 566
Re: Belt Woes..

The alignment looks good, but it looks like your alt pulley is to wide. The top of the belt should be even with the top of the pulley. Just like your other pulleys.
__________________
68 c10 swb stepper
68 c10 swb stepper
67 c10 lwb
06 gmc duramax
68is4me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 10:38 PM   #10
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Re: Belt Woes..

Yeah I noticed that myself earlier taking the pic.. the alternator is literally two days and maybe 25 miles old, and look at that belt dust on it. I supposed I can find an alternator pulley to fit? Too bad the dudes at carquest took mine without me getting the pulley back.. stupid cores..
__________________
"Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service."

My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 01:30 AM   #11
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Re: Belt Woes..

I'll post some photos of an extra alternator pulley I have.
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 01:31 AM   #12
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Posted via Mobile Device
Attached Images
 
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 10:13 AM   #13
Marshy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mexico, NY
Posts: 559
Re: Belt Woes..

Quote:
Originally Posted by KyleSeal View Post
Yeah I noticed that myself earlier taking the pic.. the alternator is literally two days and maybe 25 miles old, and look at that belt dust on it. I supposed I can find an alternator pulley to fit? Too bad the dudes at carquest took mine without me getting the pulley back.. stupid cores..
Go back and see if they still have the core sitting in the back. Maybe they have a pile of cores and dont send them out very often. Its worth a try I guess. Maybe they will let you dig for it if they just throw them in a pile. Otherwise you could slip the handle of a breaker bar down between the bracket and the alt and get some more tension on the belt but I suspect that will shorten its life faster. That one pulley looks better. Look at the wear on that belt, is it even across the whole tapered face? Hard to tell from the one pic but once you get the right pulley I'd put a new belt on again.
__________________
'84 K10, SM465, NP208, 3.42 Gears, 33x12.5-15
GM 4 bolt 880 roller block, 062 Vortec Heads
Comp Cams XR258HR-10, MSD Street Fighter HEI
Edelbrock: Performer Intake 2116, 1405 Carb
Long tube headers, 2.5" duals to Flow Master Super 40's
Vortec Engine Build
Marshy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 11:50 AM   #14
Dead Parrot
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 2,611
Re: Belt Woes..

Here is a similar alternator and pulley on my truck.
Attached Images
 
Dead Parrot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 11:59 AM   #15
GASoline71
"I ain't nobody, dork."
 
GASoline71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,971
Re: Belt Woes..

Belt is too deep in the groove of the pulley.

You can see from this pic you posted that the belt is actually twisting as it comes out of the pulley. It's also only contacting the outer top edge of the V on the belt.

Gary
Attached Images
 
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars...

My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread.

The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck

Quote:
Originally Posted by LONGHAIR View Post
I would never rebuild a 305.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prostreetC-10 View Post
I love using vacuum gauges as part of the carb tuning process. I hook the gauge to the inside of my garbage can and leave it there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv D View Post
Remember Murphys 2nd law of mechanical relationships... "OPPOSING COMPONENTS ATTEMPTING TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE, AT THE SAME TIME, GENERALLY END UP OCCUPYING ADJOINING SPACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN"
Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
Its cheaper to listen to advice given when you ask for help than it is to ignore everyone and wait for carnage.
GASoline71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 01:16 PM   #16
PGSigns
Senior Member
 
PGSigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Hayes Va
Posts: 4,569
Re: Belt Woes..

There is something else going on. The high performance GM big blocks ran deep grove pulleys to help keep the belts on. Nothing wrong with a deep groove pulley. I would look at the crank and water pump pulleys for wear. If one has a bad wear pattern in it it will eat the belts. Also you can over tighten the belt and speed up the failure if a grove is worn out. The lean in the top of the belt on the alternator looks like it is being caused by the water pump pulley. I has a lean in it also.
Jimmy
__________________
60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131
Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need?
1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver
1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home
1965 Suburban
2003 3500 Duramax
2005 Ultra Classic
PGSigns is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 01:25 PM   #17
A1971Blazer
Senior Member
 
A1971Blazer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 2,199
Re: Belt Woes..

Look for a cracked or broken bracket on all the belt driven stuff....also I had one that had the bolt on the radiator hose clamp too close to the belt....it didn't touch until the engine revved up then it would contact and sling the belt off...
__________________
1967 C10 Step side
1968 C10 Step side
1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer
1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer
.............
A1971Blazer is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 01:58 PM   #18
storm9c1
*** That's interesting ***
 
storm9c1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,772
Re: Belt Woes..

Yeah, alignment seems OK. Belts are forgiving and can withstand a little bit of misalignment. But a cracked bracket (as mentioned) could cause an accessory to flex into a worse position under load. So definitely check for that.

I don't like how that belt is riding through the alternator pulley. As mentioned, something is causing a slight twist and ride too low in the groove. That particular pulley looks like it's made for a wider belt. Whereas the water pump pulley seems right for that belt width.

If you watch the WP and crank pulleys turn as the engine idles, do you notice it being out of round or wobble at all? What about the alternator? You said your old alternator was doing this too? So swapping pulley's won't matter.

But I do like the spare pulley that you were holding in your hand in that pic. Can you try that one?

There is such a thing as too tight. Lacking a belt tension gauge, the next best thing is to push on the belt in the middle of the longest run with your index finger and you should feel strong resistance at 1" flex. Meaning it shouldn't have any more flex beyond 1" pushing with a finger. But should allow up to about 1/2" of flex. Any less than about 1/2" on a used belt means it's too tight. A brand new belt may have as little a 1/3" flex but once run, even once, it's now considered used. This is all a generality but is a reasonable reference to start with. FSMs usually call out their own methods of testing proper tension for each accessory.
__________________
Tom
Chevy by day...
1969 Chevy C30 Rollback Tow Truck -- 383 stroker, 4L80E
2011 Chevy Caprice PPV 9C3 6.0L
1995 Chevy Caprice 9C1
1994 Chevy Caprice 9C1 #3
1995 Chevy Caprice Wagon #2
1995 Chevy Impala SS
Mopar by night...
1969 Dodge Charger
1972 Chrysler Newport 2dr Hardtop (27K miles)

Plus others...
storm9c1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 02:02 PM   #19
KyleSeal
Senior Member
 
KyleSeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 893
Re: Belt Woes..

Went back to Carquest and got my old pulley back, slapped the new one on and it seems to be working okay. It sits nice and flush with good contact on the pulley, when I took it for a drive it squeaked some but it cleaned up right after and was charging the battery properly. Everything else seems fine, I only tightened it up as much as I could with no other assistance, so its tension is about equal with the other belts. I will be replacing the other belts in the system sometime soon, as they are old and a little dry, and I will check all my pulleys for bad patterns.
__________________
"Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service."

My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809
KyleSeal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2016, 07:54 PM   #20
AcampoDave
Registered User
 
AcampoDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: central California
Posts: 2,776
Re: Belt Woes..

My crank pulley wore out. Drove me crazy 'till I figured it out. Not the first thing one thinks of when trying to diagnose a belt noise that's for sure, but once I finally took it off and inspected it, the wear was pretty bad.
AcampoDave is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
454, belts, big block, pulley

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com