I believe I'm in dire need of new pulleys in my 96 LT1. Whenever I start the car, the engine screaches/squeals so loudly that you can't hear anything else. I've gone through 2 belts previously and this one hasn't been on for very long. It looks like the small pulley near they crank pulley is wobbling a bit.

Here's my problem. I'm a big noob when it comes to engine work. I don't even know which pulleys are called what. I believe I need to replace the idler and tensioner pulleys but, I'm not positive what they are called because I haven't seen a diagram with them labeled to know for sure. Of course, I would also replace the belt as well. Anyone got a diagram showing the front of the LT1 with the names and locations of all the pulleys? I need to know what to ask for when I go to place the order for the replacements I need. I have a buddy that is a top notch mechanic that will actually supervise and assist on the work I need to do but, I wanted to be able to order the parts and get them in sooner rather than later.

Any other possible cause for this banshee-like scream? My usual countermeasure is to spray some wd-40 on the belt/pulleys before taking off for a very short trip into town and back. Squeal immediately goes away but soon returns. My own non-mechanic self thinks replacing those pulleys and the belt would fix the problem but, if there is something else that could be causing that sound, I thought you all might know.

Thanks.

 

"tension-er" pulley (the small one at the bottom front of the engine) is easy to replace... 2 10mm bolts (I think), and it is out. Obviously you've got to take off the belt first. That pulley and the alternator pulley are what caused my squeals... I just replaced the alt again (due to bearing noise)... 3rd time... lifetime replacement from Advance. I'm not sure this one is quiet... will give it a couple more weeks and then take off the belt and spin it manually to see if I hear anything.

 

Here's the tensioner pulley... I would suggest to replace the whole tensioner assy and idler pulley...... Courtesy of Shoebox...




http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech1.html

 

here's a drawing I have from a GM parts catalog, you want #2, the tensioner pulley


also, this site http://shbox.com/page/index.html is the mac daddy of sites for questions regarding the LT1

 

Thank you all very much! I appreciate the quick help!

 

As a follow-up to this thread. I now have a new tensioner on the car and I went with the Gatorback belt. Now, it sounds like I have a supercharger when I rev the thing up. It's not a squeal but, it does make a whine noise. It's not bad or annoying, just different. Could the belt cause that with it's cross-hatch style cuts?

 

No, it's not the belt. They are supposed to be the quietest around. Mine makes no noise. Could be your alternator or any other driven accessory.

Another diagram for your edification:

 

Thanks. I guess that means I'm on the hunt again to figure out what's causing that.

 

With the car running spray a small bit of WD-40 on each pully one at a time until the noise disappears. This will help id the one that is the problem. Typically it is the PS pully or the AC compressor clutch going out. Good luck.

 

my alternator sounds like a small supercharger dude to those big fan blades on them.