Hi All- My PS squeals like mad, and I notice that the belt turning the pump is very loose... any good diagrams or instructions on how to tighten that up? I see slots on the back and front of the pump feet, but not sure what else needs to get loosened, pitfalls, warmimgs, etc that you might have... THX
'68 400HO Coupe, 4 spd, 259 interior, Windward Blue. My other car's a Johnson 15 outboard on a '61 Starcraft rowboat... Just sayin'.
Maybe someone can find you a diagram but you really don't need one. all you have to remember when not familiar with a v belt that needs to be tightened on any car is that there is always a pivot bolt usually down low that needs to be loosened so the unit can pivot on it's axis and another one or 2 usually up higher that tighten down on a slots that actually makes the adjustment. A few tips: only loosen the top bolt or bolts with the slots just enough be able to move the pump, never pry on the pump housing when tightening or you will dent/mar it. If you look there is usually a sturdier place on the frame of the part or a square hole designed to take the half inch drive of a ratchet to pry with. Most inexperienced people tend to over tighten which will just wear the belt faster and smoke bearings in whatever the belt wraps around so if your not familiar find the spec and use it. also many don't realize that the belt does not ride and get it's driving strength from the bottom but from the sides of the v. As a belt wears the sides wear causing it to sink further down into the pulley and become looser. Make sure and check this condition and also check the under side of the belt for cracking and replace as necessary. One last thing I have noticed in this age of cheap quality offshore parts are belts that do not have enough of the reinforcement material in them and you can't get the proper feel adjustment because they just keep stretching like a rubber band. Make sure and buy the best quality and not the cheapest price belts you can. p.s. if a belt has been left slipping/squealing to long it will become glazed/shiny on the sides and will usually take more tension to keep it from slipping then should be necessary in this case you need to replace the belt.
Thx Barnbird-- I found three bolts on the ps pump housing, plus one that involved the alternator. Two had rotation slots like you say. I loosened all 4, plus the top alternator bracket bolt and was able to move the pump further up and away causing a snugger belt. at the same time though, the alternator loosened its belt. I had to bring both alternator and pump together with a light clamp, and move them both together, and compromise at a point that created about a 1/4"-1/2" of play when tensioned on both belts. Tightened it all down, and it did the trick. no more squeal and smooth rotation.
Both belts look relatively decent, but I found that two of the 3 pump bolts were only firm, not tight. Prob should replace both belts this winter.
'68 400HO Coupe, 4 spd, 259 interior, Windward Blue. My other car's a Johnson 15 outboard on a '61 Starcraft rowboat... Just sayin'.
Not without taking too much apart I think. Working well after tightening it up, so I think I'm good- pulleys and brackets are original, belts look new enough... but they could be changed.
'68 400HO Coupe, 4 spd, 259 interior, Windward Blue. My other car's a Johnson 15 outboard on a '61 Starcraft rowboat... Just sayin'.
