Hey guys,

This problem is really annoying the hell out of me. Every time i put a serp. belt on, it gets tossed through the bottom of the car and gets chewed up in the pulleys. Had it happen just last night - the belt just shredded itself ... the belt tensioner is fine, its just that i think the alternator is off. Is there any way to check this? To check and see if it is aligned ok? I need help with this!

thanks!

 

oh yeah, and does anyone know the bolt sizes for all of the openings on the alternator bracket? exact sizes would be cool - thanks!

 

Sounds like a loose pulley or one out of alignment. Stand to the side and visually check alignment. Pretty hard for the alt to get out of alignment with the large accy bracket that is on the front of the engine.

 

Are you sure that you are routing the belt correctly? I havn't heard of anyone throwing a belt like this before. Also make sure that you have the grooves on the belt centered on all the pullies correctly. I've had mine off a bunch of times recently to pull the passenger side valve cover and one of the times I noticed I didn't get it centered correctly on the a/c pulley. If it's routed correctly that's the only thing I can think might cause the belt to jump off.

 

well, there is a 10mm bolt "loose" (i think its supposed to be a 12mm) on the power steering pulley ..... the alternator WAS off at first, but now it seems to be aligned right ... i'll check it later - i just need to keep an eye on it.... i really do, but i do need new bolts im sure ... anyone know where i can get the alternator and Power steering pump bracket bolts aside from the dealership (which will undoubtedly want $30 for them)?

 

I'm not sure how the alt can be "off" at all. It's held on by four bolts and only goes on one way, it's not adjustable like older SBC's that's what the tensioner pulley does. I would guess you could get those bolts from the dealer, hopefully the price isn't that bad.

 

when my power steering pump was not tightened properly on my 96 I had the same problem...I could rev the motor no higher than about 3500 and the belt would leave. You either have a loose bolt/pulley thats wiggling or something isn't aligned (if you look down the side you should be able to tell)

 

are there torque specs for the PS pump?

thanks