Belt squealing
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
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???
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
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?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 362
From: Candy Mountain
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.
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.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
Yeah, as far as I know, everything lines up okay and the belt doesn't look skewed when installed...
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
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.
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.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
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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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 735
Likes: 8
From: NC
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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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
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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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
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?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
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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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Winchester, KY,USA
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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