Running an engine with no belts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 9
From: Marietta Ga
Running an engine with no belts
I've recently developed a howling/belt squeal noise in the front of my '73, 350 and my question is about removing belts to determine the source of my noise.
Spraying water on the belts doesn't change the pitch and turning the steering wheel doesn't change it either. Belts are tight with about 1/2 of flex.
Is it OK to remove the alternator or water pump belt for a short time....say a minute, to determine the source of the noise?
Spraying water on the belts doesn't change the pitch and turning the steering wheel doesn't change it either. Belts are tight with about 1/2 of flex.
Is it OK to remove the alternator or water pump belt for a short time....say a minute, to determine the source of the noise?
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,601
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Keep an eye on the temperature gauge.........A minute or less should be O.K......you probably know to remove one belt---then run the engine----if the squeal remains-----remove the other belt.
Last edited by doorgunner; Feb 23, 2014 at 05:42 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 1,728
From: Summerville SC
Sometimes the belt will squeal even thought they are tight. A glazed belt, like one that was run too loose for too long, will do that. Anti freeze on a belt will also make noise, even though the belt is tight. It takes longer to get rid of an anti freeze noise than a plain water noise.But I agree, take one off at a time and watch the temp gauge.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
I used belt dressing from an auto parts store to find my maligned belt, sprayed one at a time. Ended up replacing them all anyway, but the method worked fine...much more effective than water.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 670
From: Northeast
Rule of thumb for flex is that if the center of the pulley to the other center is 13-16" the belt should deflect 1/2 inch.
If center to center distance is 7-10" belt should deflect 1/4 inch.
Surprised doorgunner didnt mentioned the bar of soap method. (old school)
Take a chunk of soap and coat the sides of the belt and inside. No need to be taking belts off. But if you dont mind removing the belts then that is the most definitive way.
If center to center distance is 7-10" belt should deflect 1/4 inch.
Surprised doorgunner didnt mentioned the bar of soap method. (old school)
Take a chunk of soap and coat the sides of the belt and inside. No need to be taking belts off. But if you dont mind removing the belts then that is the most definitive way.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Brisbane Australia
Is the squeal there at all revs or just over a certain range? I mention it because I have a belt squeal noise over 3k rpm but just removed all belts and its still there. Best guess from others is the timing cover crank seal making it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I've recently developed a howling/belt squeal noise in the front of my '73, 350 and my question is about removing belts to determine the source of my noise.
Spraying water on the belts doesn't change the pitch and turning the steering wheel doesn't change it either. Belts are tight with about 1/2 of flex.
Is it OK to remove the alternator or water pump belt for a short time....say a minute, to determine the source of the noise?
Spraying water on the belts doesn't change the pitch and turning the steering wheel doesn't change it either. Belts are tight with about 1/2 of flex.
Is it OK to remove the alternator or water pump belt for a short time....say a minute, to determine the source of the noise?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 9
From: Marietta Ga
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 546
Likes: 7
From: Kansas
Ok good deal on the PS fluid, just wanted to make sure as its easy to over look. Thoes v belts so make me want to contact March Performance and convert to serpentine. But I would hate to tell my son that he is going to a community college because daddy wanted on bad A$$ vette......so v betls it is.....wait did someone say scholarship = new trans and paint...haha
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 9
From: Marietta Ga
Follow-up
Well, as a follow up to the belt squeal.... it was grime on the pulleys or on the belts. I soaked the belts and pulleys in Formula 409 of all things to cut the crud and then hosed completely and ran till dry. Anyway all is well, squeal is gone.
Last edited by Joebrick; Mar 1, 2014 at 04:13 PM. Reason: spelling