Took the wife and kids out for a cruise yesterday in the convertible. I decided to stand on it and "blow the cobwebs out". Just as I hit second, I heard a strange thud. I went to pull over to check things out and quickly discovered the problem - I had thown all the belts. In 20+ years of owning Chevelles (and abusing them periodically ) I've never had this happen before. Maybe it is time to invest in some deep groove pulleys! I have to admit, I twisted that old 454 tighter than I ever had in the past!

I did the same thing this weekend and the oil filter fell off after i blew the cobwebs out. I did it twice before I noticed the oil pressure guage read 0. Im not sure when it fell off but i eventually got a new filter on it and 6 quarts of oil and it ran fine. No noises. I think I may have gotten lucky and saved the engine. That filter was on there for a while and was tight up until this weekend.

My guess is one belt broke or jumped out of the groove and in the process, knocked the rest out. Like you said 20 + years and it never happened, So why the rush to invest in something you don't need, (deep groove pulley's) ........

Harry - You make a good point. If it hasn't happened before in 20 years, it probably will be another 20 before it happens again!

PS - Neither belt broke but the alternator/fan belt is stretched to the point there in barely any adjustment left on the alternator. I simply untangled them and put them back on and hit the road again. Picked up new ones later that day.