Well, last weekend I installed the Billet Specialties valve covers and air cleaner I got for my birthday. They are sweet and really made an improvement in the engine compartment. But I had a few issues to deal with. First, the driver's side valve cover seeped a little oil from the pcv valve so I had to pull it and install the baffle on that side. So far no problem on the passenger side breather but we'll see. The tough part was getting the AC compressor hooked up. The valve covers are a lot higher than my stamped GM covers that I replaced. This caused me to have to move the compressor further out to clear them and the belt I had was then too short. So I took a ride to my local Pep Boys where it took them a half an hour to figure out which belt was 2 inches longer than the one I had. I took that back and installed it and everything looked OK. I had about 1/2 inch clearance between the valve cover and the compressor and I could remove the belt without loosening the valve cover. But this weekend I tried the AC and you guessed it, the belt squealed like a banshee everytime I gave the engine a little gas. I checked the adjustment and I'm at the end of the slot on the adjusting bolt bracket. So now I have to take a look to see if I can elongate the slot another 1/8 to 1/4 inch to get the additional adjustment. If I can't I'm going to have to go back to the autostore and see if I can get a belt that's 1 inch longer than the one I had rather than the two inches longer that I have now. It's never easy.

 

Only we could understand these types of issues, I'm sure you'll sort it all out, but I bet it looks nice under your hood. Good luck

 

Sounds like you're headed for a complete engine rebuild.

The domino effect.

 

I always keep extra belts around and if i need a special length i cut one down so it fits the tightest then measure that length>Say its 36 inchs long then if its a vbelt then its a 15360 or if a a/c belt 17360 if its a serpentine belt it wouldve been a k050360 for 5 groove or k060 for a 6 groove.The last numbers of the belt are the length of it,if theres a 5 at the end then its half inch longer or shorter.

 

The belt I have is 57.5 inches. I'm going to have to search and find out what is available in 56.5 and 57 inches. If I can find something I won't have to get the grinder out. If I can't it's mod city.

 

Same quandrums as all tall VC users I guess....

but...

I did mine a lil different.
I went a little longer...but I also went wider and taller. I also avoided the parts stores and used the "belt centers" type of stores.
We have two in town, one is called (appropriatly): "The Belt Center" the other is "The Belt Store".

Same length but wider and taller actually makes a belt seem too short because of the V-groove size in the pulleys (not a drastic change) vs. actual length needed.
The belt may be sitting up a 1/16th (or less) of an inch slightly higher in the pulleys...but does allow for more surface contact than the stock size belt and no squealing at all.
I have always known factory replacement numbers for belts and hoses is ALWAYS a crap shoot.
A factory numbered replacement belt may be the same lenght but, too skinny...lenght-wise fits perfect...but sits very low in the pulley...equates to squealing and premature wear, or un-authorized breaking (because its new it shouldnt break).

Belt centers (usually all they do is sell belts and is knowledgable) can match length, add or subtract width and HEIGHT,, and recommend a better rubber compound.

Also; OLD PULLEYS can cause problems by not allowing full surface contact with the rubber in the V-groove....this is where a slightly wider and taller V-groove belt is the only option....but...you have to pay attention that the taller belt is NOT "bottoming out" in the groove allowing less surface contact...which is where "wider" comes into play.
And sometimes all it needs is just a wider belt to cure the problem, no height adjustment.

Add to the fact that; Bubba may have made some repairs...and one pulley groove is different size vs. the other...
example: harmonic pulley vs. A/C pulley....then add if somebody replaced a part with a re-man, and the re-man shop threw a pulley on that was sized incorrectly(re-man alternators are famous for this)....so many angles to the final solution.


But...
It all comes into simple terms....like building something.

ie...width vs. heigth. vs. length when it comes to belts, then add rubber compositions.
With those all figured in, you can cure any belt problem for the price of a belt only.
This even works with slightly mis-aligned pulleys.

I know it seems complicated...but it really isnt if you avoid part stores and their "replacement belt" part numbers.


GL




Jim

 

The funny thing in all this is that the Dayco site lists a belt which is 1 inch longer than the one I have now which is at the end of the adjustment slot. I did find a part number which is 1/2 inch shorter and I think that will do the trick. I'd rather do that than take a grinder to the adjustment slot and possibly weaken it.