forman

this is not going well for me Im just about to take the water pump off to get the belt on If you guys have any tricks let me know cause my bag is empty at this point

CanadaGrant

Remove the 4 bolts holding the fan clutch and pulley to the water pump. Tilt the pulley forward and slide the belt on then re-install the clutch and bolts. There is no adjustment on the belt so it isn't that tight or hard to put on.

forman

I tried that its not really working well ,, the belt is right

dugsgms74

In my experience, if the belt is a Dayco it wont fit. Had to return mine and get a Gates for my 68 L36.

forman

its a gates ,, i got it on i used 1 stud put a nut on it and rotated it to the top and put the other studs in put the fan on and tightened it up … thanks

Jims427400

I struggled also until a forum member told me to get two extra bolts a little longer and cut the heads off. thread them in and slide the pulley with the belt on at the same time. It's not easy but it will slide over the studs. Once its on put two bolts in and tighten loosely then remove studs and install remaining bolts.
If the belt is too tight you may wear out your pump. Too loose it'll squeel.
Good luck
Jim

CanadaGrant

Sometimes after installing the belt the bolt holes are a bit hard to get lined up. A phillips screw driver or something similar works to get the holes lined up and the first bolt in. Glad you got it on. Lots of people just go without but if you lose the PS belt, it's bad enough to lose your steering and alternator, but you have no cooling either so limping home is out.

forman

does anyone know the spec on how tight it should be ,, it gives a little but i expect it to loosen up a bit once i drive the car

CanadaGrant

I read up on this in the chassis service manual quite awhile ago and there is no spec as there is no adjustment. It will not squeal unless the PS belt is slipping also as it's a secondary belt. For any slipping or belt squeal they both have to be loose and you take any slippage out by adjusting the PS belt.

71 Green 454

Hi forman, what is the number on the Gates belt you installed? I like to see what others are using.
My '71 BB has the idler pulley, but I still like the belt tight without needing to push the pulley in too far.

forman

W/P 3952336 15/32 x 31 7/8

71 Green 454

Thanks, looks like it would be a Gates 7315 belt. I'm using a Gates 7320, just slightly longer than yours.

forman

There was a lot of slop and nowhere near tight with that belt ... Did you use it or your thinking of useing it .. Cause it won't fit my if big block