Serpentine drive problem, please help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ky
Serpentine drive problem, please help
I have been working on this problem off and on for about three months. I use the S/P drive setup w/ A/C and P/S. After miking and shimming all bracketry, I finally got everything straight and level. I must say that S/P's stuff looks nice and is functional, but it sure ain't bolt on. Heck, it wasn't even square. Just when I think it's fixed, it starts squeaking again. It sounds like belt squeal but I'm not so sure anymore.
I have tried different belts, the best so far is Gatorback. I've tightened it so much that I'm afraid it might snap. I've looked around many times to see if something is rubbing, such as a loose motor or rad mount or something, can't find anything. It only does it after warming up and then not all the time.
My question is, could it be the balancer or the water pump bearing? Or alt bushing? The freq is such that I can't pinpoint it by ear.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I have tried different belts, the best so far is Gatorback. I've tightened it so much that I'm afraid it might snap. I've looked around many times to see if something is rubbing, such as a loose motor or rad mount or something, can't find anything. It only does it after warming up and then not all the time.
My question is, could it be the balancer or the water pump bearing? Or alt bushing? The freq is such that I can't pinpoint it by ear.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ky
Thanks Munday. I've never had much luck with them but I'll give it a try.
It's drivin me nuts, not that it's a very long trip. A car that sounds like a friggin Ferrari or something pulls up to a stop light and, "Squeak, squeak, sqeak"...it's embarrassing.
It's drivin me nuts, not that it's a very long trip. A car that sounds like a friggin Ferrari or something pulls up to a stop light and, "Squeak, squeak, sqeak"...it's embarrassing.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 11
From: Merrick NY
Keep us n the loop,I'm installing one of their LT1 kits in my car, and the alternator brackets ( I was sent another) do not align with the head holes. So far it seems to be lined up properly, but I an concerned about how well it will perform.
Their stuff is nice and their customer service is excellent, I hope I don't have the same problem as you.
Any other S/P serpentine setup owners out there?
Their stuff is nice and their customer service is excellent, I hope I don't have the same problem as you.
Any other S/P serpentine setup owners out there?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ky
I had sort of the same problem, found out that in addition to the mounting holes for the alt weren't drilled where they should have been (out of square), they also sent the wrong bracket to begin with. Also, the spacers for the idler brackets are supposed to be 5/8" but were only 1/2". Even when they sent the right bracket, it was drilled so sloppy that it was unusable until I had a bushing machined to compensate.
Sounds like I'm not the only one to have these issues with them.
Sounds like I'm not the only one to have these issues with them.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 11
From: Merrick NY
Originally Posted by 79ls1
Sounds like I'm not the only one to have these issues with them.
I had found a few other issues along the way: I needed a different water pump heater core hose outlet to clear the idler pully. The odd thing is they sell it and I would've just bought in the first place. It's the hassle of trying to complete a job and are not able to because of these externally controlled problems.
Also, the alternator bracket bolts were not long enough, with only 3-4 threads out of the end of the bracket. They are sending me longer bolts in exchange, but I figured I'd avoid these issues buying a complete kit.
I guess my advise is when ordering these kinds of kits be sure to ask if there's any other additional parts that will be needed to put in what your buying. you'd think they'd want to sell as many needed parts for both their bottom line and the satisfaction of the customer.
Last edited by Stumpdeisel; Jun 5, 2006 at 07:00 PM.
