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Old Sep 3, 2011 | 02:59 AM
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Default belts screaching

hey guys, i have a problem where my 79 makes a loud screaching noise when i hit about 3500 revs in every gear. it never does it on start up. where do i start with this?

cheers. toby
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Old Sep 3, 2011 | 03:14 AM
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Originally Posted by tobyj7
hey guys, i have a problem where my 79 makes a loud screaching noise when i hit about 3500 revs in every gear. it never does it on start up. where do i start with this?

cheers. toby
Either the belts are too loose, the belts are glazed, the pulleys are not aligned properly, or a combination there of. You could also have one of the accessories getting close to seizing up.
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Old Sep 3, 2011 | 04:50 AM
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Originally Posted by v2racing
Either the belts are too loose, the belts are glazed, the pulleys are not aligned properly, or a combination there of. You could also have one of the accessories getting close to seizing up.
... or he removed the A/C belt and didn't add a the extra crank to waterpump belt
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Old Sep 3, 2011 | 09:31 AM
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Don't buy bargain belts as they stretch while the premium ones don't.
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Old Sep 4, 2011 | 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by v2racing
Either the belts are too loose, the belts are glazed, the pulleys are not aligned properly, or a combination there of. You could also have one of the accessories getting close to seizing up.
i found a belt that was a bit loose, tightened it up a bit and it was great, had it over 3.5k today and was running like a dream. thanks for your help and advice
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Old Sep 4, 2011 | 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Jud Chapin
Don't buy bargain belts as they stretch while the premium ones don't.
I have the same problem on my car. Car was stored for 10 years, so I changed the belt and tires. I bought a cheap-o belt from autozone and it squeeled no matter how much I tighten it. Assuming it was a junk belt, I got another new one from Napa. This belt also squeels. Its a different squeel (more of a chirp) than the AZ belt. The Napa belt is tightened over halfway across the adjustment arc for the alternator.

Where do I get a "good" belt from?
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 12:50 PM
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It would do you well to invest in a Goodyear Gatorback belt. I don't know if they make them for our cars(they should though), but they are one of the best belts you can get at local auto part stores.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan H.
I have the same problem on my car. Car was stored for 10 years, so I changed the belt and tires. I bought a cheap-o belt from autozone and it squeeled no matter how much I tighten it. Assuming it was a junk belt, I got another new one from Napa. This belt also squeels. Its a different squeel (more of a chirp) than the AZ belt. The Napa belt is tightened over halfway across the adjustment arc for the alternator.

Where do I get a "good" belt from?
Goodyear belts are good as they are carbon fiber reinforced to prevent stretching. Other premium belts are steel reinforced. Any good parts house should have these. I'm surprised that a NAPA belt would stretch. Perhaps you have something else going on.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 09:40 PM
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Just ordered one from Amazon, I'll post up the results!
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Old Sep 6, 2011 | 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Danish Shark
... or he removed the A/C belt and didn't add a the extra crank to waterpump belt
Whoa, what do you mean? I removed my A/C and belt and now I have a screaching noice as well coming from the Alternator.
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Old Sep 7, 2011 | 06:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Vette79C3
Whoa, what do you mean? I removed my A/C and belt and now I have a screaching noice as well coming from the Alternator.
Is it at high RPM only?
If so it's probably not the alternator making the noise, it's the waterpump pulley because the radiator fan is attached to it.
You may need two belts between the crank and waterpump pulleys.
I don't know your belt configuration but mine had one belt "crank-waterpump-alternator" and one belt "crank-waterpump-A/C". When I removed the one going to the A/C I had to add one going from the crank to the waterpump.

Last edited by Danish Shark; Sep 7, 2011 at 06:09 AM.
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Old Sep 7, 2011 | 01:00 PM
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I was getting belt screath regardless of how tight it was or how well it was lined up. I use a header mount and as the engine revs up, it snatches the belt physically bending the J-bar as it pulls forward and toward the centerline. This temporary loosens the belt in the process.

I had "stiffners" welded to the header bracket, changed the belt system out to a 1-1/2" Gilmer belt, use two J-bars with spacers/stiffners, and added a header brace. After all of that, I can still see some flex, but I've not heard the screaching.
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Danish Shark
Is it at high RPM only?
If so it's probably not the alternator making the noise, it's the waterpump pulley because the radiator fan is attached to it.
You may need two belts between the crank and waterpump pulleys.
I don't know your belt configuration but mine had one belt "crank-waterpump-alternator" and one belt "crank-waterpump-A/C". When I removed the one going to the A/C I had to add one going from the crank to the waterpump.
It usually makes the screaching noise when I rev the engine from idle. It started doing this after I removed the AC belt. If one is needed between the water pump and crank pulley's then do you have any idea what size or where to get it? Maybe a link?
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Vette79C3
It usually makes the screaching noise when I rev the engine from idle. It started doing this after I removed the AC belt. If one is needed between the water pump and crank pulley's then do you have any idea what size or where to get it? Maybe a link?
I don't have any number or link. I measured the approximate length and went to the local lawn mower repair shop and borrowed three belts with different lengths close to the measured length and went with the one that fits.
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Vette79C3
It usually makes the screaching noise when I rev the engine from idle. It started doing this after I removed the AC belt. If one is needed between the water pump and crank pulley's then do you have any idea what size or where to get it? Maybe a link?

Mine used to do this before I put the Gilmer belt on.

I found that as the engine revs up from idle, it "snatches" the belt pulling the alternator forward and toward the centerline of the engine. This takes tension off the belt and you get the squeal.

Perhaps, your A/C belt was putting tension of the other side of the "system" to keep the alternator belt from "snatching" so its removal resulted in this problem.

What I did when I put on the Gilmer belt:

Double J-bar with solid spacers (fairly cheap and easy), and a brace from the back of the alternator to a header bolt.



Also strengthened the header bracket which was the primary source of the problem (which you may not use).


Last edited by toddalin; Sep 13, 2011 at 01:31 PM.
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan H.
I have the same problem on my car. Car was stored for 10 years, so I changed the belt and tires. I bought a cheap-o belt from autozone and it squeeled no matter how much I tighten it. Assuming it was a junk belt, I got another new one from Napa. This belt also squeels. Its a different squeel (more of a chirp) than the AZ belt. The Napa belt is tightened over halfway across the adjustment arc for the alternator.

Where do I get a "good" belt from?
Get either a Goodyear Gatorback or a Gates belt. Both are good belts. They can be found at many box stores and online. Read the Napa package, I know Gates mad belts for Napa at one time. I have Gates belts from Napa on my 73 and 76 with no issues.
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