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Been searching - No luck - v-belt problem

AZ79K5Project

AZ79K5Project

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I finished upgrading from an SI12 to a CS144 alternator. It works great - until I put a full load on the alternator.

The belt slips and smokes. The tension is good - single v-belt going to the alternator.

I am running three v-belts on the truck. Other than going serpentine or semi-serpentine, anyone know of a double belt set-up that I could run on the alternator?

Vitals:
79 - 350
AC
no air pump
 
How are you getting that much load on it? I would expect that it may be rotating loose when the load grows, basically making the belt slip. The other possibility, although not common, is that the pulley itself is worn and allowing some slip.

I don't know of any double belt setups off the top of my head, although I am sure something could be made to work.
 
If youve got a pick and pull around, check out the 80's sedans like caddys and buicks. Cant remember for sure, but I think there are threads on here.

Good luck, Kenny
 
lectric80 said:
How are you getting that much load on it?....
Click to expand...

I have 2 small air pumps for airing up as well as electric cooling fans. I kicked the AC on high (kicks on electric fans) and turned on every accessory I have - including the 2 air pumps.

Kenny78 said:
If youve got a pick and pull around, check out the 80's sedans like caddys and buicks. Cant remember for sure, but I think there are threads on here.

Good luck, Kenny
Click to expand...

The only post I found was from dyeager535 from 2005 regarding the late 80's Monte Carlo that ran a serpentine to the alternator/waterpump and v-belt to the AC.

The belt is only a couple of months old. I replaced it when I put the 12SI on it in November/December. It hasn't been driven much with the new belts and new alternator pulley.

I'm at a loss with the POS right now.
 
In my opinion, the conversion to a full serpentine setup is well worth it. You already have electric fans, so you don't have to worry about the reverse rotation.

I scored my setup for ~$100 including a high amp alternator and PS pump on ebay. Just make sure it includes all pulleys and brackets and the swap is pretty painless. I bought a new water pump rather than use the used one that came with the kit. I'm sure if you look around, you can get a setup for pretty cheap on ebay or at your local Picknpull.
 
Thanks for the info and idea of the serpentine set-up. Any particular make/model to look for? I haven't looked at the serpentine stuff other than Summit.
 
I went with a setup from a 89 Camaro/Firebird because it allows for the intake tract on my TPI intake. But AFAIK you can use any serp setup off of a small block chevy or 90 degree V6 (I think). Just be sure that you know what it came off of so you can get the appropriate accessories and belt. The best option is to get a complete setup. If you have AC, there are additional issues with converting to the different compressor. Also, the alternator wiring needs modified slightly as I believe most of the serp setups place the alt on the driver's side. If you find a set, try to score the P/S pump as well. All you need to do to get the newer pump to work with your existing lines is remove the adapter fittings off your pump and swap them onto the serp pump.

Sorry if I ramble...
 
Thanks for the info.

I just got off the phone with the AC company I bought my stuff from. They do sell a replacement clutch and pulley, BUTTTT I'll probably have to relocate my AC. This means new hoses, evacuate and refilling AC = $$$$.

The guy pointed me to an 86 Blazer that may have been set up with a serpentine on the alternator and traditional v-belt on the PS and AC. Anyone know about this?
 
Do you have the long AC compressor? If so, you will have change to a different compressor. The A6 (long, heavy) can't be mounted where they mount the R4 (newer) compressor on the serp setups. I am planning on putting a new sanden compressor in mine once I get around to the AC. Someone here did that on their truck...

I have seen the hybrid (serp/v-belt) setups before too. They don't use a tensioner, its basically the same as the v-belt setup, except the alternator is setup for a ribbed belt.
 
I updated to a R134A compressor last May. I changed the entire system over (works great).
I am looking at this type of pulley kit (simple cheap version rather than $$$ bling): CLICK

AZ79K5Project said:
The compressor is the Seltec TM15.
http://www.ackits.com/

P1040197Medium.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I have a setup from a 92 Astro that I plan to use. Yes I do have to drain the AC system, but it keeps the compressor on the same side, and bolts right up. Any 4.3 V6 should have everything you need, and the newer ones use a larger AC compressor, but it is still much smaller than the stock massive one pictured above.
 
Are you sure the alignment is dead on? If it's off a little it'll do just like you describe. And sometimes once a belt starts slipping and gets hot it just won't hold any more.

I had the same problem. I fixed my alignment with some washers, and got some gatorback V belts from kragen. I last tested it at 6000 RPM with all 3 of my electric fans on, brights, high perf ignition system, stereo, horn, afterburners, toaster, and blender, and microwave... just a thought.
 
AZ79K5Project said:
The guy pointed me to an 86 Blazer that may have been set up with a serpentine on the alternator and traditional v-belt on the PS and AC. Anyone know about this?
Click to expand...


I scrapped out an 84 C10 that had this setup on it. It may have been an 86 now that I think of it, I know it had a Th350 in it.
 
'87 K5 (at least) is the same as the Monte stuff. Serpentine alt, water pump, crank, v-belts for everything else that doesn't see nearly the load. (AIR, PS, I *think* AC)

With the alternator plug not working correctly (long story) and my volt gauge maxed out (I assume it was putting out max) it only started to squeal after a few seconds in that condition.

I have yet to have heard it squeak once since that problem was resolved, and I'm using the same belt.

I don't mind the full serpentine too much, I suppose it's just personal preference. Belt changes are sure easy, but the system is complicated (extra parts to fail) IMO and so I'm sticking with the semi-setup. Advantage of the multi-groove belt grip on the components that take the most effort to turn, disadvantages of multiple belts and more difficult belt replacements. Especially if the multi-groove isn't the one you need to replace.
 
Hey Dyeager

Do you have any pics of your setup? Is the pulley arrangement like this:
3398_1.JPG (vbelt/serp/vbelt)

Did you have any issues lining anything up? My setup has the PS on the inner belt, AC middle belt and Alt the outer belt. I really don't want to make or look for new brackets.

3398_1.JPG
 
Everything but the alternator bracketry was off of the Monte donor. Alternator lined up fine.

Just swapped an '87 truck PS pump in, and it lined up with the '85 Monte stuff no problem.

I'm hesitant to say that everything will always line up, because I've had issues with other GM vehicles where the pulleys DIDN'T line up. They used too many different brackets and pulleys for every combination to fit every vehicle. IMO it's best to just grab everything off of one vehicle, to make sure. I don't know about about the AC pulley, but the power steering one is apparently a pain to pull, the others are easy, so if wanting to swap, get them all at one time.

Few of the pictures here show the setup somewhat, best I've got, sorry. Nothing mocked up outside the vehicle.

http://dyeager535.topcities.com/TPI/index.html
 
PERFECT!!!! Thanks for the link.

This pic (http://dyeager535.topcities.com/TPI/pages/airintakeDS.html) answered my questions about the setup. It looks like things lined up pretty well.

I fabbed up the brackets for the AC last year and just modified the alternator bracket for the CS144. I would hate doing the work all over again.

I called the dealership this morning - $80 for the crank pulley :eek1::eek1: - oh and they don't make it anymore. Same with the water pump pulley.

Evilbay and pick n pull are the next choices...
 
I wouldn't discount the Camaro's either, there are plenty of them out there, and with my setup originally coming from an '85 Monte, it's likely they used them in cars longer than they did in the trucks.

I notice I don't have pictures with the 130 in place, but I'll poke around and see if there are any.

All I see are red X's on my post here, maybe some of them are pics with the alternator installed.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236217&highlight=130
 
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