Are my belts loose?
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Lake Jackson (South of Houston) Texas
Are my belts loose?
Hey all - went to drive my corvette today (79 C3) and when going from idle to drive it boggs down a little and when idling its squeakier than usual.. Also at one point while driving the lights on the inside dimmed then came back.. I just had my compressor and belts replaced at the shop so my first instinct is that the belts are loose. What do you all think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Great Plains Iowa
[QUOTE=79VetteNoob;1591796555]Hey all - went to drive my corvette today (79 C3) and when going from idle to drive it boggs down a little and when idling its squeakier than usual.. Also at one point while driving the lights on the inside dimmed then came back.. I just had my compressor and belts replaced at the shop so my first instinct is that the belts are loose. What do you all think?[/QUOTE
It's very normal for new belts to stretch during the first few hours of operation so your alternator/fan/water pump belt might be slipping and that's why your interior lights dimmed.
It's very normal for new belts to stretch during the first few hours of operation so your alternator/fan/water pump belt might be slipping and that's why your interior lights dimmed.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
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From: Kernersville NC
Check the belts and if they are tight and it continues have the charging system checked. I recently had an alternator that was working intermittently. Output voltage was fluctuating between 11 and 14 volts. It was only noticable on the amp gauge until the lights were turned on.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Lake Jackson (South of Houston) Texas
Alrighty, so next question.
Do I just feel it out by hand and see if they're loose or is there any sort of tension test? Followed by how do I tighten the belts?
Would I just detach my alternator move it back on the bracket then restretch the belt over it or is there another way of going about this? Needless to say this is my first time to play with belts.
Do I just feel it out by hand and see if they're loose or is there any sort of tension test? Followed by how do I tighten the belts?
Would I just detach my alternator move it back on the bracket then restretch the belt over it or is there another way of going about this? Needless to say this is my first time to play with belts.
Last edited by 79VetteNoob; Mar 18, 2016 at 09:56 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Shamong, NJ
Alrighty, so next question.
Do I just feel it out by hand and see if they're loose or is there any sort of tension test? Followed by how do I tighten the belts?
Would I just detach my alternator move it back on the bracket then restretch the belt over it or is there another way of going about this? Needless to say this is my first time to play with belts.
Do I just feel it out by hand and see if they're loose or is there any sort of tension test? Followed by how do I tighten the belts?
Would I just detach my alternator move it back on the bracket then restretch the belt over it or is there another way of going about this? Needless to say this is my first time to play with belts.
I think the Corvette Shop Manual gives a recommended amount of belt play, but I don't have any of my shop manuals handy right now.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Belts could be somewhat loose, or the sides of the belt could be 'glazed' from past slippage. If you look at the belt sides and they look shiny, they are glazed. If so, use 150-200 grit sandpaper to buff the glaze off; then tighten the belts properly. 
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Lake Jackson (South of Houston) Texas
Well the belts are all tight.. I was hoping it was a belt issue but it does not look like that's the case. I imagine it has to be a carb issue? Last time the carb was tuned it was between 50-75ish degrees on an average day.. Now were sitting between 70-85 and it was on the higher end yesterday. I've got the 4 corner holley 750 double pumper, should I adjust off of the idle screw of reset all 4 corners?
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