Good Afternoon,

I just bought a '76 Vette with a 454 swapped in but the PO was having issues aligning the pulleys and I was looking for some insight ( sadly, I am not familiar with this setup yet). The power steering pump pulley is sitting wayy too far out infront of the water pump pulley. I cant pull the power steering pump any further back because it is butted up against the block, and I don't want to push the water pump pulley out because it is aligned correctly with the crank pulley. Is there a different pulley that I can install on the power steering pump that has a larger backspacing so it aligns? Would I be able to shim out the crank pulley to match the water pump pulley if that was the only option? Thanks for any input.

 

not sure i can help but i have a 71 big block without power steering but my water pump pulley has 3 grooves. the most forward groove is not used. that may have been for the power steering but i'm not sure. basically what i'm saying is you may just need a 3 groove pulley for your water pump. the best thing to do is get a AIM manual and that will show you how the power steering pump on a big block is hooked up. somebody will respond that can tell you for sure what you need to do.

 

The BB vette pulley setup is remarkably different than most any other setup so if it's not using the stock brackets and pulleys it'll be a real challenge to mix and match something to fit properly
Stock setup from a 72 (ignore the cs144 alt)


M

 

Could the water pump be the wrong style.? Small blocks use a short and a long nose pump. Thinking the big blocks do to. Not sure if thats the issue or not, but could be worth looking into.

 

Thanks for the help so far!
I have been looking around and Ive seen the alternator and power steering pump pretty much always in that position. I think the PO bought this kit : https://www.cvfracing.com/chevy-big-...-steering-swp/
I don't see why the kit wouldn't work other than the alternator hitting the upper control arm, but I think I have a solution for that. Also, if this is a premade kit, you would think it would line up right. Do you think it would be better to try and relocate the alternator to the stock location (because with the current setup, it doesn't align with the other pulleys) and find some stock brackets? From what I can tell, this whole setup is a mixing pot of random parts.

 

if only GM figured this out in 1965

 

Part of the issue (from what I understand) was with the motor that low, the crank pulley had clearance problems with the crossmember (hence the big "dent" in them) as well as the alt clearance to the control arm as well.
The PS pump had to be in front of the engine and mounted fairly high but still needed the alt above it, also in front, and close to the engine since it couldn't really go to the side much more.

Anyway, from a "stock" perspective, with a non-a/c car
Short water pump (not quite the same as any other short pump because they used a larger shaft diameter than normal)
The crank pulley would have 2 grooves. The inner one had a belt that went to the water pump only, the middle went to the water pump and over to the ps pump and the front groove went to the water pump and A.I.R. pump which would have been over towards the passenger side
The PS pump had 2 groove pulley, the rear one was the one that went to the crank and water pump, the front one had a short belt that went to the alt only




now it is possible to change things around and get it to work out other ways but you'll need to

March Performance (I think it was) used to have some charts that gave various dimensions for different pullys
M



5 3/4 is the corvette pump (about .150 longer than the normal short pump)
The harmonic balancer outer ring is 1-3/4 thick, no number visible when installed with the pulley
Crank pulley is 1-1/2 thick (two groove version) sitting virtually flush with the balancer
3 groove WP is 2-5/16 thick with about a 1/2 from the last pulley edge to the front (where the fan spacer mounts)
Small gap (1/16) between the first (closest to the engine) and the second belt grooves are (it's two pieces)

 

76 was never offered with a 454 or any other big block, so finding what will work on yours may be difficult.
Do you know what series 454 block and heads were used on you build?
Aftermarket heads or block will change everything.
It could make a difference as whether or not the oem accessory brackets will work or not.
First thing you should do is to make sure you have the proper water pump that is designated for Corvettes, my 73 big block has a short water pump designated for Corvette.
Second thing you should do is purchase the proper accessory brackets for your alternator and power steering pump if you have a MK-4 block with matching heads.
Third thing you need is the proper pulleys for a big block.
The first groove on the crank and water pump are for the emergency belt which was used as a fail safe belt in case your other belt failed you would always have a belt turning the water pump.
My 73 has three water pump pulley grooves.
I have a/c so I don't know what is required for a none a/c car.

 

Here is some more information: the block is from a 68 or 69 Chevelle and the heads have a 781 stamp (supposedly those are sought after?). They weren't aftermarket. I am pretty sure it is this alternator : http://www.delcoremy.com/find-a-part...-details/20043 I also pulled two measurements off of the block in the two pictures. Maybe a double pulley for the PS have enough offset backwards to make that half inch?

 

You have a 396 block??? Still makes no difference. You do have the correct short water pump. Go to Paragon or anther trusted repro parts house and order all the correct brackets and pulleys for a 68-74 BB car with PS. I only say Paragon as I know I one time they made a bunch of the brackets and pulleys

 

Is it just the camera angle or is there a misalignment issue between the crank and water pump pulleys?
The frayed edges on both sides of the belt show something isn’t right and could just be a mismatch in belt and pulley width or V angles

 

poorly made aftermarket parts will do that.

 

MOOSER your absolutely correct this is my original 454 in my 74 with the correct brackets without them it's will never line up

 

I did use a washer in between the bracket and pump