Acceptable Pulley Misalignment?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
Acceptable Pulley Misalignment?
What are acceptable parameters for pulley misalignment? The alternator is forward a bit, but I am afraid if I bring it back, the belt will encroach the lower radiator hose...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
If the alternator belt is in the correct position and it hits or comes close to the bottom radiator hose, the hose is probably installed backwards. Common mistake.
You shouldn't have any visually obvious belt misalignment.
Last edited by MikeM; Dec 12, 2008 at 06:40 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Not sure of your engine size but is this the upper or lower. I dont see how either could be backwards except some companies double up on hose applications to fit more that one car by trimming the ends when demand slows down for one or the other.
But sometimes you can loosen one of the clamps and twist one way or the other enough to clear the belt without removing anything...
But sometimes you can loosen one of the clamps and twist one way or the other enough to clear the belt without removing anything...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
I will post pics this weekend.. wife stole the camera and went to vegas. But the hose is the lower, and a correct GM repo. I will have to check it out as I can't see how it could be installed backwards... It has RAD -----> with the arrow pointing to the radiator which I assumed meant install the arrow pointing towards the radiator which I did lol
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
If you have an original factory correct shaped bottom hose, That hose will go on backwards slickern' a minner's p......r.
I don't say that's your problem for sure but it's likely. The easy way to put that hose on is to stick it on the radiator, tighten the clamp and then install the radiator. Short of that, slide the hose on the radiator outlet with the clamp loose on it, then tighten it from underneath the car.
I don't say that's your problem for sure but it's likely. The easy way to put that hose on is to stick it on the radiator, tighten the clamp and then install the radiator. Short of that, slide the hose on the radiator outlet with the clamp loose on it, then tighten it from underneath the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
Not sure of your engine size but is this the upper or lower. I dont see how either could be backwards except some companies double up on hose applications to fit more that one car by trimming the ends when demand slows down for one or the other.
But sometimes you can loosen one of the clamps and twist one way or the other enough to clear the belt without removing anything...
But sometimes you can loosen one of the clamps and twist one way or the other enough to clear the belt without removing anything...
My only other comment here is that, if you really do have some amount of visually noticeable pulley misalignment (front to back) - the answer to your question in the title of this thread is "no amount of pulley misalignment is acceptable" - you should track down the problem and rectify it (use the correct combination of pulleys, move the alt forward or backward, etc.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
yep, the correct lower rad hose CAN EASILY be accidently installed backwards and as mentioned it makes the alternator belt rub against it and will chew thru it.
Believe me, i know this from bad experience.........
If your alt belt is too close to the lower hose you can be pretty sure the hose is installed backwards. flip it and you will see how much additional clearance you gain.
Believe me, i know this from bad experience.........
If your alt belt is too close to the lower hose you can be pretty sure the hose is installed backwards. flip it and you will see how much additional clearance you gain.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,191
Likes: 145
From: Snake handler
yep, the correct lower rad hose CAN EASILY be accidently installed backwards and as mentioned it makes the alternator belt rub against it and will chew thru it.
Believe me, i know this from bad experience.........
If your alt belt is too close to the lower hose you can be pretty sure the hose is installed backwards. flip it and you will see how much additional clearance you gain.
Believe me, i know this from bad experience.........
If your alt belt is too close to the lower hose you can be pretty sure the hose is installed backwards. flip it and you will see how much additional clearance you gain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
for me, the hardest part of reinstalling the lower rad hose was getting it to slide past the shroud on my '65 to come down to the lower rad housing. It just wouldn't slide at all no matter how much I pushed and pushed and fought it, just a tad too tight. Than I smartened up and sprayed some WD40 on the hose and she slide in there as easy as pie with no fuss.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
If your belt is touching the hose, get a slightly longer or shorter (can't remember) belt which will raise the alternator, pushing it towards the motor and give you a little more clearance. 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 37,671
Likes: 1,115
From: CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
There's a sheet metal guard on A-C cars that protects the rad hose from
being chewed up.
I took an alternate solution and inserted a piece of stainless tubing
there. Now the belt just polishes the stainless when the revs go high.
being chewed up.
I took an alternate solution and inserted a piece of stainless tubing
there. Now the belt just polishes the stainless when the revs go high.
Last edited by magicv8; Dec 15, 2008 at 01:03 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 10
From: california
