squealing belts

[jordan]

It LIVES!!!  Today I was able to take my Cuda for its maiden voyage around the block.  2 miles total so far.  The car ran good, smooth, and straight. The only thing that is giving me any trouble is one of the belts is squealing.  Both are tight, but when I blip the throttle or get on the gas, the belt sounds horrible.  Is this just a matter of breaking in or do I have another issue that I don't know about yet? If I roll on the throttle slowly and smoothly, I don't really hear much.  Just when things spin up fast.  I am actually surprised at how fast this stroker can spin up too!  Looks like I will need to invest heavily in rear tires and gas!!!!  I am so excited right now!!

[BadJoey]

My power steering belt does the same thing . I changed the belts and the pump but it still happens . If I unhook the belt it goes away so the noise is coming from there .Tried belt dressing with no luck . Someone said my pulleys might be out of line . I tried checking them with a straight piece of brake line but it looks ok . All I can think is cheep belts . 

[Rob C]

Cheap belts could be the answer. Normally, I'd say loose belts.
Are the pulley groves painted?  Maybe try ruling bing up the surface for grip?

[jordan]

Yes, painted pulleys.  I will try to scuff them with scotch bright and see what happens.  I wondered about belt dressing, but it doesn't sound like it will work.  Other suggestions are still appreciated.  Thanks

[ammo]

Belt dressing usually just makes it worse.. Sounds like the belt is just a wee bit loose, but scuffing up the groove of the pulleys wont hurt.

[Chryco Psycho]

Congrats on getting it completed , the strokers do spool up fast !!
 The belt issue is minor ,  try a different belt , as with a lot of things 20 years ago they made 1000s / day but nothing uses V belts anymore so they are made in small batches & the quality is not as good now

[jordan]

I just used what ever NAPA belt they gave me.  I don't know the difference.  I will scuff the pulleys since most are new or newly painted.  Sure sounds bad though.  The belt tension seems pretty good. 

[cudaized]

I just used what ever NAPA belt they gave me.  I don't know the difference. 

NAPA can match your belt, and get you one that is 1/2" smaller. It may have been a "stretched" corrected size belt from their parts book. A good counter guy can get the V-Belt measuring tool they have and find a smaller one for you. Might work.

[jordan]

Im still within my adjustment range on my alt and PS pump.  It seems as the belt is just a little too wide for the v-groove and it needs to seat better.  I was hoping they would break in and seat better with a little running. 

[Chryco Psycho]

there are 11 , 13 & 15 series belts , 11 is narrow , 15 is wide not usually used on Mopars , 13 is most common

[jordan]

I know the NAPA part number of 25-9600 and 25-9480.  My friend looked at them tonight and said they are too wide.  I do not know the series.  Is that marked on the belt?  Where can I get a narrower series than I have if this is all NAPA has?  Does anyone have a belt supplier with the correct series I need?  I just tried Auto Zone and all they have is .53" or 13mm (series).  Thanks. 

[plumcrazzy]

If I remember correctly the belts are designated by length, width and pitch. That is why there are "A" sized belts, "B" sized and so on. Your belt may not have the correct width to seat into the groove properly or the pitch angle could be to much or to little. The belt should be fully seated in the groove and nearly flush with the outside of the pulley when properly tensioned. I use a length of chalk line to check alignment of my pulleys---pull it tight across both pulley faces and look for gaps--cheap and easy to store.

[jordan]

my belts are only touching the pulley with the "teeth" of the belt.  Not the belt sidewall itself.  They sit above the circumference of the pulley and not flush.  I measured them at 12mm wide.  I take it I need the narrow series 11 instead of what I have.  Bummer for me!  I can't drive because of a belt!!  GRRR!    My new thought is I wonder if I will need a different length since the belt will fit into the pulley differently than the ones I have now?  Now I have to wait until next week since the local stores don't have what I need.I suppose that will give me time to fix the little stuff.  I really want to get my car to the Mopars on the Mississippi next weekend.  It won't be the end of the world if i don't.  More frustrations.  Makes it hard to tune until I can drive it.  Hurry up and wait! 

[Chryco Psycho]

it may have a part # on the back of the belt , usually similar to 11-1950 11 being the width & the other being the length

[jordan]

I got new belts!  They fit and are tight.  I still have the same problem.  No squeal at low revs, but it I blip the throttle, I get a squeal.  Also, as I increase the RPM, the squeal comes in at 2300RPM.  I used a steel rod and touched the power steering pump, alternator, and water pump to my ear.  I could not hear the squeal through the rod while it squealed.  I can't really figure out what it is?  Alternator bearing?  Water pump something?  It sounds like it is coming off the front of the motor, but what else spins that would sound like a belt?  Maybe it is still the belt slipping on painted pulleys, but I can't tell which one.  Ideas?  I will go scuff the pulleys with scotch bright now to see if it changes.  The list never seems to get shorter.