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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Belt squealing

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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 12:39 PM
  #1  
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Belt squealing

Ever since I finished my 351 swap I've had a problem with belt squeal. I have a new tensioner pulley, new water pump, new smog pump eliminator pulley, new idler pulley, new alternator, and new power steering pump. The first time after the swap, the belt got hot and melted onto the grooves pf my p/s pump as well as my idler pulley. Had to clean that up and replace the idler pulley. After installing a new belt and tensioner pulley. the squealing is still there and this new belt is running and has partially melted onto the p/s pump grooves and the new idler pulley.....what gives???
 
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 02:37 PM
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Something isn't right. Partially melted onto the grooves? Meaning it is leaving belt residue on the pulley? Sounds like the power steering is not turning easy(belt is slipping over it)? Did you line up the pulley correctly when you installed the new p/s pump?
 
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 02:53 PM
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Something is really off... are you sure the pulleys are all aligned and the belt is correctly routed? Right size belt?

Did you swap the pulley on the smog pump eliminator with another size pulley? Most kits are meant for mustangs and the pulley is smaller than the truck version if I remember correctly.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Freightrain
Something isn't right. Partially melted onto the grooves? Meaning it is leaving belt residue on the pulley? Sounds like the power steering is not turning easy(belt is slipping over it)? Did you line up the pulley correctly when you installed the new p/s pump?
Yeah, as far as I know, everything lines up okay and the belt doesn't look skewed when installed...
 
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by R&RFord
Something is really off... are you sure the pulleys are all aligned and the belt is correctly routed? Right size belt?

Did you swap the pulley on the smog pump eliminator with another size pulley? Most kits are meant for mustangs and the pulley is smaller than the truck version if I remember correctly.
Pulley is the same size as the smog pump pulley.
 
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Old Oct 13, 2018 | 05:47 AM
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I would try and turn all pulleys by hand. It sounds like there is an accessory or pulley is spinning, but much slower allowing friction to melt the belt into the grooves.
 
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Old Oct 13, 2018 | 06:27 AM
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Originally Posted by timbersteel
I would try and turn all pulleys by hand. It sounds like there is an accessory or pulley is spinning, but much slower allowing friction to melt the belt into the grooves.
I tried that too. All the pulleys turn freely except for the p/s pump which has a little resistance(which would be expected since it has to move fluid) but not bad enough to keep the belt from turning it/
 
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Old Oct 13, 2018 | 08:24 PM
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Sounds like the belt tensioner isn't putting correct pressure on and is causing issues with the belt , That is where I would start.. it's either too little or too much.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2018 | 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by ZombieF150
Sounds like the belt tensioner isn't putting correct pressure on and is causing issues with the belt , That is where I would start.. it's either too little or too much.
The tensioner, idler, water pump, p/s pump and smog pump eliminator are all new as well as the belt....prior to replacing the tensioner, the old one was weak enough to move by hand.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 06:22 AM
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I've replaced my 130 amp alternator with a 95 amp unit and my belt squeal problem is still there; also, the volt meter reads low and the previous alternators weren't charging the battery. Yesterday I let it idle for 15 mins and the squeal went away and the volt meter was reading toward 18. Is it possible that I have a voltage regulator issue?
 
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 07:55 AM
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Best way to check is use a dvom or analog voltmeter and check the battery when it's idling and see if it's overcharging.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by timbersteel
Best way to check is use a dvom or analog voltmeter and check the battery when it's idling and see if it's overcharging.
Did that. When the belt is squealing, the alternator is not showing a charge and will read 10.5 or less. When the squeal does go away, it will read 14.6
 
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Old Nov 5, 2018 | 08:28 AM
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I am thinking of replacing my voltage regulator to a soft start unit just because I have no other recourse. I did find out this morning that if I connect my big battery charger to the battery and turn the amp selector from maintenance/trickle up two clicks to 40amps, the squeal goes away and then I can disconnect the battery and I can drive off and not get a screech until I shut off the engine and try to restart...
 
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