Taking away belts to increase performance?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Norman Oklahoma
Taking away belts to increase performance?
On my 79, there should be 3 belts.
First belt-harmonic balancer, water pump pulley, and alternator
Second belt-harmonic balancer, water pump pulley
Third belt-p/s pump, harmonic balancer.
My question is if you get rid of the second belt, will this increase or decrease engine performance? The reason I ask is because I'm rebuilding my vette and I can only find two belts, as if I may have never had the central one when I was driving before.
First belt-harmonic balancer, water pump pulley, and alternator
Second belt-harmonic balancer, water pump pulley
Third belt-p/s pump, harmonic balancer.
My question is if you get rid of the second belt, will this increase or decrease engine performance? The reason I ask is because I'm rebuilding my vette and I can only find two belts, as if I may have never had the central one when I was driving before.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
On my 79, there should be 3 belts.
First belt-harmonic balancer, water pump pulley, and alternator
Second belt-harmonic balancer, water pump pulley
Third belt-p/s pump, harmonic balancer.
My question is if you get rid of the second belt, will this increase or decrease engine performance? The reason I ask is because I'm rebuilding my vette and I can only find two belts, as if I may have never had the central one when I was driving before.
First belt-harmonic balancer, water pump pulley, and alternator
Second belt-harmonic balancer, water pump pulley
Third belt-p/s pump, harmonic balancer.
My question is if you get rid of the second belt, will this increase or decrease engine performance? The reason I ask is because I'm rebuilding my vette and I can only find two belts, as if I may have never had the central one when I was driving before.
I believe that 3rd belt should be working a smog pump.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 74
From: New Carlisle IN
I believe one of those belts should be for the AC and/or smog pump. It wouldn't just go around the balancer and water pump. There is no need for that. I only run two belts on my 73 and 76. One around the balancer, water pump and alt. The second is around the balancer, water pump, and p.s. pump. I do that incase one belt breaks, i still ahve one turning the water pump (unless the broken belt takes out the second one also).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
I run one belt - alt/bal/wp. I used to run 2 - bal/ps. Mypower steering stopped working so i just left it off. I'm sure it results in less work for the and we could calculate just how much but I can't feel it in the seat of the pants test. Just try driving without them. You won't hurt it as long as your waterpump and alternator are spinning, which they should be since they are on the same circuit (belt)
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Running 3 belts (if as designed) instead of 2 to run the same equipment will not result in a savings of power. The accessories draw the power...not the belts. You will, however, have a much greater chance of breaking your belts (since there are not enough to properly share the load) and/or have squealing belts.
