san

Hello, looking for some input on a 1978 corvette fan belt system. Acording to the specs the inner pulley or pulley number 1 is for alternator, 2 for ac, and 3 for power steering....is that correct? Also, the PS pump is a saginaw i believe, threaded shaft, and it seems setting the pump all the way out to make belts look perfect is extremely close to front cross member, and it appear the altwlernator belt willnrub on PS pump housing...ive been trying to use puller number 2 for alternator(ac not on car) by shimming the Alt mounts out further. It would seem that using a smaller pulley on. PS pump would allow better clearance, and if possible offset the PS pulley to allow ALT to return to pulley 1...is it possible the pullry is wrong on the pump? I belive its original. The sure cure would likely just be a different offset on PS pump but it would also need to be slightly smaller...something doesnt seem right...

Brian79

I believe your right as far as the belts go. This may help.
The pic are of a 1979





After water pump replacement

7T1vette

It appears from the photos that the power steering pump is sticking out about 1/8" too far. Are there washers or shims that you can remove from under the mounting flange/tabs?

san

I actually shimmed mine out two washers thick to make it ride on the pulley straighter. But in doing so if alternator runds on first pulley its going to rub on PS pump housing. Every single gm car or truck ive owned i had to make adjustments to get belts to run straight. Im thinking someone may have damaged/bent the PS pulley on mine. I had to straighten it slightly, but now im wondering if they bent it beofre i got it and had straigthened it the wrong way...

7T1vette

Sorry, but I think your method of determining 'alignment' may be off. If it is by "eyeball", the simple aspect of 'perspective' might be throwing you off. My suggestion is to remove the [unneeded] washers and see how it works. From your photos, I think it will be OK. If there is some kind of interference, see if shortening or lengthening the P/S belt a bit might solve that issue. With the correct belt, the P/S pump should be on the tight-side of center position. (A new belt will stretch a bit upon use; and that will require a re-tightening of the belt after a week or so. Then the adjustment should be near the center position.)

HeadsU.P.

OP is a '78. Example photos from '79.

7T1vette

(Poop! I thought those were pics of his car... )

Brian79

Hi,
The photos in question, are not of the OP. The photos, are from my 79, which I posted to confirm his question as to belt configuration (post#1). In regards to "Looks like it's sticking out 1/8" to far" there are no shims, it is an original set-up it may be camera angle making it look as such, have never had a problem. Just trying to clarify what's what here

Thanks Brian 79

HeadsU.P.

The alignment of those PS pulleys compared to the crank pulley never look right to me. Off just a little, just like mine. Doesn't seem to hurt anything though.

'75

The OP says he has a threaded shaft on the ps pump, 74 should have been the last year for that pump. Yours should look just like the pictures above.

san

Yes i believe the pump was changed, although i have the correct mounting hardware installed for my 78, maybe someone swapped pump and used original hardware. Im not 100 percent sure what has been done. Doesnt really make sence to have an early saginaw pump on a 78 does it?? I should mention also, car is a silver anniversary edition, so maybe they came with that style pump.