waterpump/crank pulley belt ???

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Mar 3, 2016 | 07:53 AM

jgcable

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From: Milford, CT

waterpump/crank pulley belt ???

On my 77 I only have to drive an alternator, waterpump and fan.
I would assume that's only 2 belts but my service manual shows 3. Belt 1 goes around crank pulley, it only hits about 1/4 of the waterpump pulley and goes around the alternator pulley. Its adjusted from the alternator bracket. Belt 2 goes around the crank pulley and the water pump pulley. It has NO adjustment. Belt 3 goes from the crank pulley to the power steering pump and is adjusted from the power steering pump bracket.
The belt I don't understand is Belt 2. I have never.... in 38 years of working on cars have ever installed a belt that had no tensioner or mechanism to adjust the tension on it. Although they show this belt in the service manual is it actually necessary?

Mar 3, 2016 | 08:11 AM

resdoggie

Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp

Joined: Mar 2011

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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.

Royal Canadian Navy

Take belt 2 off. You don't need it.

Mar 3, 2016 | 10:56 AM

CanadaGrant

Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2006

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From: BC

My wife's 78 has this and so does my 69 BB. There is no adjustment and to install you have to loosen the water pump pulley, slide the belt over and tighten it up. My wife's 78 is a no AC L82 car and the belt is 3/8" x 32.5" as shown in the owners manual. I have this belt on because if you don't and you ever lose the alternator belt you are hooped because it is also the only thing turning the water pump. On my 69 it's the power steering belt that runs the water pump if you don't have the water pump belt and it squeals without the third belt on. Some people run without them but if it's already on, I see no point in cutting it off.

Last edited by CanadaGrant; Mar 3, 2016 at 11:01 AM.

Mar 3, 2016 | 11:33 AM

Alan 71

Team Owner

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi jgc,
My 350/270 with no options or AIR equipment had just 2 belts.
The one you mention from the crank pulley to the water pump pulley (which IS a bit tricky to install), and one for the alternator, water pump, and crankshaft.
Generally in the AIM there are pages showing ALL the possible configurations for belts based on equipment.
Regards,
Alan

Here's an example of one of the pages… this one is for all variations for engines in cars with the power steering option. Note the base engine (top row/right) still has just 2 belts but the one that includes the p/s pump has replaced the one that ran just from the water pump to the crank pulley.

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 3, 2016 at 11:35 AM.

Mar 3, 2016 | 11:59 AM

Dodosmike

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Powassan ON

My "multiple" owner 78 has 2 belts (L82, a/c deleted long ago).
belt #1 = Crank to PS Pump.
belt #2 = Crank to Water pump to Alternator.

I'll have to check and see how much "bite" the belt has on the water pump. I may get a longer belt and run #1 = "crank > water pump > PS pump" so the water pump doesn't slip.

Thanks for the AIM photo Alan.

Mar 3, 2016 | 12:16 PM

CanadaGrant

Safety Car

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From: BC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodosmike

For the 78, there are actually pics of the different configurations with belt sizes in the owners manual. I never would have thought to look there but my wife found it....

Last edited by CanadaGrant; Mar 3, 2016 at 12:28 PM.

Mar 3, 2016 | 12:28 PM

BKarol

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Northeast

This is from the 78 owner's manual. I agree with CG that if there is one belt I would like to remain on the car it would be the crank to water pump. No need for the PS and running off the battery sans alternator will get you some distance. I would use it.

Mar 3, 2016 | 01:19 PM