This is a stupid question, but here goes....

If the pulleys on a water pump, power steering pump, and alternator were all not straight/aligned, could hooking belts up to them and using them on an engine do any damage to the engine? I don't know if that made any sense. Basically the problem is that my water pump, power steering, and alternator all squeak, or one of them is squeaking. (can't tell) When I look at them when the car is running, I can see that they are not spinning straight, and are a little bit out of alignment. It even looks like the balancer and crank pulley are the same way. It's a new engine and i've put almost 200 miles on it. So far everything else seems to be ok. Is this something I should worry about or not? My only concern is if the stress from the belts could cause any damage to the bottom end by not being aligned properly. I wouldn't think so, but I thought i'd ask anyway. Sorry to ask such a dumb question, but i'm just curious.

-Ben

I don't think you'll cause any damage. Best to figure out why things don't line up though. The only problem I forsee, is you might throw a belt off if the alignment is too bad...

bulb-122
Thanks for the reply
I didn't think it would be a problem, but I thought i'd ask anyway. I imagine a belt would be tossed before this would cause damage to the engine. Is it even possible to tighten belts too tight and cause excessive stress on the crank? Just curious. (v belts)
Does anyone know if anyone makes a serpentine belt kit with underdrive pulleys and all new acessories for chevelles?

-Ben

Originally posted by 71chevy0192:
...Is it even possible to tighten belts too tight and cause excessive stress on the crank? Just curious... No, but you can put excessive strain on the water pump and alternator bearings, and they will give out. Most older cars are not perfectly aligned, v belts, but should be pretty close. Haven't looked into it but yes you can get a serpentine belt setup for your car.

If the bearings were to go out then the alternator/waterpump just wouldn't work anymore right? Thanks for the replies

-Ben

GM makes a serpentine belt system that bolts up to any small or big block chevy. It is available from GM parts or you can get it from Summit. It comes 2 ways, with or without a/c. Comes with brackets that mount to the block and head AND comes with new water pump, alternator, powersteering pump and an a/c compressor if you have a/c. Also has all the pulleys and bracing brackets, belt and hardware. Part #'s from Summit are: NAL-12497697 for no a/c $548.95 and NAL-12497698 for a/c $749.95. From GM you would just drop the NAL part of the part #. They just came out with a set for big blocks also, same priceing but I think only from GM for now, saw them at www.paceparts.com. (http://www.paceparts.com.)

bubbamura
Looks good. Should be quality parts right? Do you guys think there would be a problem with bolting up the powersteering that comes with it (with headers naturally)?

Then there's this one
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?singlepart=1&partnumber=12497698
They also have a couple more with/without the AC or the AIR pump that aren't as expensive.

Very cool. How much hp do you guys think I could free up by switching to a serpentine kit and using underdrive pulleys? Combo is....

Engine 333 cu in... no not 331. .040 327

Accel HEI Ignition
14" K&N air cleaner
1" carb spacer
Edelbrock 600cfm electric choke carb (1406)
Unsure of fuel pump type probably stock 3/8" line
Performer intake ported/polished
Performer RPM heads ported/polished
1.5" roller tip rockers
216/216 .454/.454 110 LSA crane energizer cam
Double roller timing chain
10.35:1 64cc pistons .125 dome forged speed pro
stock rods
forged steel crank
fully balanced
1.75" headers 3" collector
2.5" exhaust w/ flowmasters and turn downs ending before rear axles


Have you guys heard of people having any problems when switching to these kits? Anything as far as clearances, or other problems?

Thanks a bunch
-Ben