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I had a new Blueprint 383 stroker long block put in with old accessory mounts from a previous supposed "383" stroker before. It was driving very well, but when I turned the AC on, I would hear the belt groan. So I never turned it on. I've been driving, about 500 miles now with no problems when I go to start up for a first oil change. Suddenly, I hear a snap and turn the car off. The belt snapped! I had this motor put in professionally. I have reached out to them, but it's the weekend right now. Any inputs guys? I am going to check the spring tensioner assembly and any pulley alignment issues. Anything else to look for? The area where it snapped is pretty clean, but there is a major tear mark elsewhere on the belt.
Well I double checked the pulleys and they were all good. I put a new nut on the bracket bolt (M10x1.25) I think it was unique as they are usually M10x1.5. Spring tensioner was good, put the new belt in, and viola! Went for a spirited drive when SNAP, then rubbing noise, then burning smell. I pulled off to the side and feared the worse. Transmission issue? Motor? I open up the hood, and the the belt was stuck in the main crank pulley, burning up! I think it might be the AC clutch or alignment so issues, so I'm getting it towed to a shop to double check.
Do you have one of those idle solenoids attached to your carb? Its purpose is to compensate the idle when the compressor is kicked on. Summit racing has em, they are cheap. Little off topic but things like that bug me lol
Honestly an alignment issue would cause the belt to wear, not snap. Same with a bad pulley. The fact that your belt is snapping like that is odd.
Have you double checked your firing order? Something is 'fighting' that belt. A push pull type of fight.
Take a look at your firing order, spark plugs, etc. Anything that can cause a misfire.
AC compressor locking up could snap belt. See if drive plate spins as well as pulley. Bolt coming out is an unlikely cause but.it depends on where bolt landed. Normally there's some squealing before belt snaps.
Thanks for all the replies guys. My mechanic replaced my alternator bracket, charged my AC system, and replaced the belt for free! He said when he turned the AC on, he could visibly see the belt and tensioner bouncing up and down rapidly. Seems like I need to get a new spring tensioner, but it would have been nice if he offered to change it out for me. I still think in the back of my mind it's the AC clutch though. Maybe I should take it to another mechanic.
So I replaced the tensioner and I drove for 100 miles with no problems yet. I notice though, at idle that the tensioner does bounce up and down a lot. Is this normal?
Blueprint 383 stroker long block
