Saddlehorn

I have a 73 454 w/ PS and AC and am trying to get the belts on in the correct order. I suspect they are not right as my alternator is 'shimmed' to be about 1/2 inch forward of it's top bracket to make the belt line up straight with the pulley. Also, does anyone have any trick for getting to the adjustment nut for the power steering pump. That sucker is buried in the back of the pump with the PS hoses in the way. Do you just have to remove the hoses to make this PS belt tension adjustment? Thanks in advance.

TimAT

I agree-- that nut on the back of the PS pump is a PITA! I use a long 9/16 open end and reach down between the header tubes- sometimes. I've tried about everything I can think of. Even used 1/4 ratchet and a 9/16 socket on that. Not easy.
AS far as the belt alignment, I can't help much- I don't have A/C and the belt routing may be different between your 73 and my 69.

Saddlehorn

Thanks TimAT - I'll try your method to reach the PS nut. I think my belt issue is influenced by the AIR pump being deleted and some PO ran the belts in whatever way they could to get them to work.

Sigforty

You probably need to change the alternator pulley. The BBC alt pulley is spaced out to make the belts line up. Look into this pulley.

Paragon Number: 1335
GM Part Number: 3883978

TimAT

Good point-- the BBC pulley is way different than the standard GM alternator pulley.

The 73 AIM will also have a good diagram of belt routing. All I have is the one for 69.