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I am changing belts on my 71 with base engine.
Car was originally AC car but that is deleted so no compressor any more.
So I have 3 belts.
crank to water pump (Gates 7350)
crank to water pump to alternator (Gates 7541)
crank to power steering pump (Gates 7360)
The water pump belt barely goes and I can't level the water pump pulley after installing it, that how tight it is.
Power steering no issues.
Alternator one I can't put it on even if I push the alternator all the way to the engine.
OK alternator one is no issues, I can get a longer one and adjust the alternator accordingly.
The main issue is water pump one. Did I get a right one or do I need another one?
Hello,
The water pump / crank belt is very tight and has no adjustment .
It best to take one of the pulleys loose... install the belt and then work the pulley back into place.
In the past I've done that with the water pump pulley.
Regards.....
Why not just have 1 belt, crank, water pump, alternator with the alternator for adjustment.Then power steering crank pully.Truthfully of all the years I've messed with chevy engines I've never see one where you just have a crank waterpump belt.I don't have access to my 72 at the moment but now curious to see what it has.
Hello,
Originally the 71 sb without power steering or a/c still had 2 belts. 1 on water pump / crank and 1 on water pump, crank, and alternator.
Regards.....
Why not just have 1 belt, crank, water pump, alternator with the alternator for adjustment.Then power steering crank pully.Truthfully of all the years I've messed with chevy engines I've never see one where you just have a crank waterpump belt.I don't have access to my 72 at the moment but now curious to see what it has.
The dual belts on the crank go back many years prior to the C3 engines. I heard years ago that the doubled up crank belts were to ensure maximum friction to drive all components off the water pump. Not the primary purpose, but it also serves as a back-up in case one of the belts break - the engine won't overheat.
71 belt question
