The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Engine & Drivetrain

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-17-2010, 09:07 PM   #1
jdpavek
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 9
77 454 C20 with chronic alt belt issues

I have a short water pump 454, power steering but no ac. I put a heavy duty alternator on, which seems to fit the bracket and all just fine. However, I keep getting worn shredded alternator belts thrown. I found some advice on aligning the pulleys but also came across a reference to hybrid pulley system that GM ran on some 454's in the 80's. The way I understood it, it seems as if the crank pulley has two sheaves, one with a v-belt for the power steering and one serpentine for the alternator. Does anyone know if this is true? Does anyone know, or care to guess, if I can convert to such a hybrid system? I have looked at March Performance conversion kits but for a short water pump 454, they only offer a single belt system that would cost about $650.

More than anything, I am looking for reliability. Is there general agreement that a serpentine system is hands down the most reliable?

Any comments, advice, like experiences, etc. would be appreciated.
Thank you very much.
--jd
jdpavek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2010, 09:13 PM   #2
cableguy0
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
Re: 77 454 C20 with chronic alt belt issues

The most likely cause for throwing a belt is improper pulley alignment. You need to closely check and make sure the pulleys arent misaligned even a little bit. Also the improper length belt will cause the same issues. You could always go to the junkyard and pull all the brackets from the newer engine but you will need everything from that engine.
__________________
Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.
cableguy0 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2010, 09:47 PM   #3
jdpavek
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 9
Re: 77 454 C20 with chronic alt belt issues

I agree, CableGuy, and this site has a great tutorial on alignment titled "V Belt pulley alignment 101", which I will use if I don't go the serpentine route. Do you think it is true that a serpentine belt is more forgiving to misalignment and more reliable?
Thanks.
--jd
jdpavek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2010, 10:00 PM   #4
cableguy0
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
Re: 77 454 C20 with chronic alt belt issues

None are forgiving to misalignment. The serp belts are more reliable and last longer but no matter what belt is on there if theres pulley alignment issues theres gonna be problems.
__________________
Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.
cableguy0 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
alignment, alternator, belt, problem, throw

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:16 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com