Loose water pump belts?

[miketyler]

Hello all - long time no post, I know. Have been busy with new house, a job with increasing responsibility and some minor health issues (more like getting old issues). Aside from that, I still have the Cuda and I took it out over the weekend. Car still runs hot (around 210*) and the warm season really hasnt set in yet here in the DFW,Tx area. Without getting into all the other things that has been advised and tried, I noticed yesterday that I could very easily spin the fan blade by hand.

I am running a custom dual belt setup with a fixed OEM fan. Its not so loose enough that it freewheels, but it requires very little effort to overcome the friction of the belts. The waterpump is part of a 4-pulley belt circuit and there is probably only 1-2" linear that the belts contact the pulley. Anyhow, my question is this; can belts as loose as I describe slip when the engine is running and result in slower WP rpm and consequent hotter temps? I have heard batteries not being charged fully because the alt belt was loose. Could the same be true for waterpump?

Am at the end of the adjustment travel so to test will have to buy a longer adj bracket or fabricate and attach some sort of extension. From what I can deflect by hand, I need to add another 1" of travel to get the belts where the fan cant be turned by hand.

For those that have emailed or PM'd me over the past 6mos or so, please accept my apologies for being so slow to respond. I still have your PMs and will get back to you.         

[miketyler]

a better illustration. I plan to replace or extend the bracket regardless; I was just interested to know what the chances are that this is contributive to my over heat issue.

[miketyler]

Well it took me about 30 minutes to cobble up an extension bar from some .250 thick aluminum I had laying around. Drove it around and car didnt get over 190*. Am hesitant to say its fixed but it sure looks good so far. Will drive around in some warmer outside air temps and see if anything changes.

 

[422STROKER]

Maybe you can pull the belts and get a shorter set?

Hope that this is your fix.

Tom

[Chryco Psycho]

well I definatly think this is part of your problem , the fan & Wp create drag & it is easily overcome allow it to slip
 the other Big problem I see is that the belt doesn`t actually wrap around the WP pulley, you only have approx 20* of contact , I think you need to have 90* minimum , ideally running the Wp off the power steering belt would be better

[miketyler]

yup, thats what I thought too but there is twin belts so that would hopefully make up for it. I am stoked with yesterdays results though. Do thy hve longer adj brackets or will I have to weld an extension to this and have it rechromed?     

[Bullitt-]

MIKE....Where's the little Dude in your avatar?.....Always like seeing the little Dude.

Add this to your signature & put the little guy back 


Wade

[moparniac]

my question is this; can belts as loose as I describe slip when the engine is running and result in slower WP rpm and consequent hotter temps? I have heard batteries not being charged fully because the alt belt was loose. Could the same be true for waterpump?

   

absolutely true... when i went to the track a couple of weeks ago I threw my alt pulley right off the car..... i pounded it back on and the belt was slipping.. i could see my alt charging guage fluxuating... im sure it will do the same to the wP and cause cooling issues...

[ntstlgl1970]

"Big problem I see is that the belt doesn`t actually wrap around the WP pulley, you only have approx 20* of contact , I think you need to have 90* minimum , ideally running the Wp off the power steering belt would be better"

I agree - That setup can't be right for the water pump, it needs more belt engagement like CP said.

No matter how tight you make the belt, it is going to slip. And probably ruin your alternator (because you will have it overtightened)

[miketyler]

Yes, its bad engineering on my part. I couldnt move it further outboard without having to raise it to clear the valve cover. Since I am running twin belts essentially I have the linear belt contact w/pump x2. I do have it tighter than it was but I dont think its any tighter than it should be.

I cant go any smaller withthe belt size, with the ALT slid all the way in I can barely get my current size belts on.   

[422STROKER]

So do you plan on making a new A/C bracket to tip it towards the passenger side as far as it can go?

What does the factory set up look like?

Tom

[moparniac]

electric waterpump 

[miketyler]

An electric water pump would be cool but they are pricey aren't they? Am pretty sure the readjusted belt setup will be ok but time will tell. I am going to buy one of the 14" universal alternator brackets first and see if I can make it work. If I have to, will cut a piece and weld it on and get it rechromed later.