Idler Pulley, 77 L82
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
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Idler Pulley, 77 L82
G'Day,
Currently my baby is screaming at me when I go to fast and Im not talking my wife. That being said a few years back I removed the AC compressor as the AC didnt work and I prefer the windows down. I have moved countless times in the last seven years and have lost the compressor. So now, no compressor means to much torque and the belts squeel like a stuck big. When the compressor was on I didnt have this problem. So now Im stuck, I can either hunt for a used compressor just to run dumb on the bracket or is there anyone out there who have had this problem? Im thinking an idler pulley to fit on the bracket or another other way around this. Any help would be great. Thank you in advance.
Currently my baby is screaming at me when I go to fast and Im not talking my wife. That being said a few years back I removed the AC compressor as the AC didnt work and I prefer the windows down. I have moved countless times in the last seven years and have lost the compressor. So now, no compressor means to much torque and the belts squeel like a stuck big. When the compressor was on I didnt have this problem. So now Im stuck, I can either hunt for a used compressor just to run dumb on the bracket or is there anyone out there who have had this problem? Im thinking an idler pulley to fit on the bracket or another other way around this. Any help would be great. Thank you in advance.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 224
From: Beecher Illinois
A non AC motor would have had a simple belt running around the crank pulley and water pump pulley. No idler.
You'd need to remove one of the pulleys to get the belt on, altho some guys say they've got the belt on by prying it over the edge of the pully and bumping the motor over. I'd remove the pulley, tho.
As to belt size, you'd need to figure it out yourself. The "book" size wouldn't work for you because you have AC pulleys, different diameters from non AC.
Do a search, this was discussed in detail a while back with some belt recommendations.
Here ya go...............
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...lt-needed.html
You'd need to remove one of the pulleys to get the belt on, altho some guys say they've got the belt on by prying it over the edge of the pully and bumping the motor over. I'd remove the pulley, tho.
As to belt size, you'd need to figure it out yourself. The "book" size wouldn't work for you because you have AC pulleys, different diameters from non AC.
Do a search, this was discussed in detail a while back with some belt recommendations.
Here ya go...............
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...lt-needed.html
Last edited by KapsSA; Jun 26, 2012 at 09:18 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
So you think the squeeling is caused from all the belt pressure pulling to the left side of the motor with no pressure to the right to balance it out? I'm not sure if that would cause them to squeel or not, but maybe easing up on the belt pressure for the power steering and the alternator would help. Check to see that the pulley on the crank is tight. Maybe it's come loose somehow 
Water pump pulley also tight?
Water pump pulley also tight?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 3
alt/fan belt squeel
Hi Reg,
Last year i also took the A/C off my 1970 SB. Owned the car over 20yrs, never had a squeel. Now i'm struggling with the same issue you are. I have verified that my belt alignment is good. i started to believe that the water pump pully on A/C cars is smaller than the nonA/C cars. A tech at Mid America told me the pulleys are the same size. So I have reverted to putting a belt between just the crank pulley and the water pump pulley. I'm not crazy about this idea because I have never seen a SBC run with this belt arrangement in all my years. Yet the AIMs manual does show this configuration but there is no explaination as to when and where it was applicable. I ran to the parts store about 5 times before I got a belt that would work with no idler. The belt I got can be massaged over the pulleys without loosening the fan pulley bolts. But I still think it is too tight. The belt I am using is a NAPA # 7350 or 7355, I don't remember which right now. I am going to try to go to a different brand to try to get a belt about 1/4 inch longer. BUT STILL i DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS. I DON'T BELIEVE A SMALL BLOCK CHEV SHOULD NEED THIS BELT UNLESS IT IS REWORKED SEVERLY FOR MUCH MORE TORQUE. Mine is just a 350/350, it does rev quickly but ...... I don't know, I'm still trying to figure it out. Dave.
Last year i also took the A/C off my 1970 SB. Owned the car over 20yrs, never had a squeel. Now i'm struggling with the same issue you are. I have verified that my belt alignment is good. i started to believe that the water pump pully on A/C cars is smaller than the nonA/C cars. A tech at Mid America told me the pulleys are the same size. So I have reverted to putting a belt between just the crank pulley and the water pump pulley. I'm not crazy about this idea because I have never seen a SBC run with this belt arrangement in all my years. Yet the AIMs manual does show this configuration but there is no explaination as to when and where it was applicable. I ran to the parts store about 5 times before I got a belt that would work with no idler. The belt I got can be massaged over the pulleys without loosening the fan pulley bolts. But I still think it is too tight. The belt I am using is a NAPA # 7350 or 7355, I don't remember which right now. I am going to try to go to a different brand to try to get a belt about 1/4 inch longer. BUT STILL i DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS. I DON'T BELIEVE A SMALL BLOCK CHEV SHOULD NEED THIS BELT UNLESS IT IS REWORKED SEVERLY FOR MUCH MORE TORQUE. Mine is just a 350/350, it does rev quickly but ...... I don't know, I'm still trying to figure it out. Dave.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
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Thanks Dave and the rest of you. Im glad Im not the only one with this issue. And yes, I believe it is to much torque to the left.
Im going to get the alt/water pump pulleys blasted. If I could pull the PS and cranks I would do that.
Also, in hind site, I do recall that a non AC alt pulley belt is about a half inch shorter than what I have on my set up (stock).
Oh sigh. Dave Im going to give you idea a shot, though I also agree that it seems like a little much.
I have also tried tightening, loosening (resulted in high engine pressure spitting out coolant), emery cloth...
Im going to get the alt/water pump pulleys blasted. If I could pull the PS and cranks I would do that.
Also, in hind site, I do recall that a non AC alt pulley belt is about a half inch shorter than what I have on my set up (stock).
Oh sigh. Dave Im going to give you idea a shot, though I also agree that it seems like a little much.
I have also tried tightening, loosening (resulted in high engine pressure spitting out coolant), emery cloth...
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 50
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From: Houma La
I had a mitsubishi that squealed every time I replaced a belt. I could only use factory belts and it would stop. I was told by a local mechanic that the angle of the V was cut different on the factory belt and that's why the squealing would stop. I don't really know if that's true but it did work. Have you tried a different brand yet?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I had a mitsubishi that squealed every time I replaced a belt. I could only use factory belts and it would stop. I was told by a local mechanic that the angle of the V was cut different on the factory belt and that's why the squealing would stop. I don't really know if that's true but it did work. Have you tried a different brand yet?
