Pulley misalignment

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May 11, 2003 | 10:39 AM

Gordonm

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From: Forked River NJ

Pulley misalignment

Doing some work on the front end of the motor. I have all the belts off and noticed that the water pump pulley is off 1/8 of an inch from the balancer pulley. It has been running like this for about 4 years maybe more. I am running a Fluidamper on mine. This might be slightly different size from the original. I have had this past 7000 rpm and never had a belt come off. I am replacing the belts just because they are older. Should I shim out the water pump pulley or just leave it alone. What do you think?

May 11, 2003 | 12:16 PM

Steve Straus

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From: Charles Town WV

Re: Pulley misalignment (Gordonm)

Quote:

Should I shim out the water pump pulley or just leave it alone. What do you think?

I think you should. Are these the original pulleys? If so, then the fluidampr is probably skinnier like you said. 1/8" isn't all that much, but if it can be shimmed, then I'd do it.

May 11, 2003 | 01:45 PM

bence13_33

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From: Clymer PA

Re: Pulley misalignment (Gordonm)

Gordon:
Personally I wouldn't. Why change something that works?

May 11, 2003 | 04:06 PM

Gordonm

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From: Forked River NJ

Re: Pulley misalignment (bence13_33)

I just put it back together and it runs fine. I'll keep an eye on it to see if there are signs of belt wear. Its only 1/8 of an inch, not much.

May 11, 2003 | 05:03 PM

Jack71

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From: Boxford Mass

Re: Pulley misalignment (Gordonm)

My last vette w/ the 400 had the same thing, but I never had a problem. Although I never had it up to 7000rpm!

I think that amount is trivial.

May 11, 2003 | 05:06 PM

Matt Gruber

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From: central FL, near the beach.

Re: Pulley misalignment (Gordonm)

this is a good example of "blueprinting"
it is rarely done but it is desirable.

May 11, 2003 | 11:25 PM

no_radio

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Re: Pulley misalignment (Matt Gruber)

Is it misaligned so that it's too far out (towards the radiator) or too far in (towards the block)? If too far out you may have a non-Corvette water pump, which I understand is about 1/8" shorter than a regular small block short water pump.
Jeff

May 13, 2003 | 11:43 AM

Steve Straus

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From: Charles Town WV

Re: Pulley misalignment (no_radio)

Quote:

It's actually like 1/2" shorter. With a long water pump on the engine you can fit your hand behind the pump in front of the timing cover. With the short pump you can barely get a sheet of paper in there.

I'd still call fluidampr and ask if this is normal.