When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
No matter how tight I try to make the v-belts they always continue to squeal under hard acceleration and high rpms. I find this super annoying when I want to hear the 455 make sweet music to my ears! Below are the pictures of my setup. I have often thought of going to a serpentine belt type system. Maybe like CVF racing? I do not care for the looks of the March Performance one. Those are new Gates brand belts by the way. I know oldsmobeast mentioned in one of his youtube videos that he like his CVF racing serpentine kit. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to fix my belt squealing and/or recommendations on a 455 serpentine kit?
I saw in interesting one just a couple weeks ago. Personally, I've always found that noise is from not being tight enough. However, I saw where others took ChapStick and while the belts were turning, they applied ChapStick - darn if it didn't work really good. I would never have thought. Maybe the bees wax in the ChapStick?
Loosen the belts and then tighten the power steering pump first.
Tighten the pump by following the procedure on page 9-10 in the CSM (Figure 9-22A shows how to do this by prying between the pump hub and the adjusting ear on the mounting bracket slightly below and to the left of the hub). Don't pry on the reservoir.
I was thinking the same thing as Gary, that the PS belt was not tightened in the correct order. Many of us have the similar factory belt setup and do not have squealing problems when the belts are tightened properly.
And there appears to be a chunk taken out of your new alternator belt.
I was thinking the same thing as Gary, that the PS belt was not tightened in the correct order. Many of us have the similar factory belt setup and do not have squealing problems when the belts are tightened properly.
^^x3^^ Again, fully agree on the "sequence" for tightening the belts. Really need to follow protocol in CSM.
Another thing to consider is the belt size, not just the length but width of belt also. I had the same issue on my 70. I had a belt that was to narrow and did not seat in the pulley correctly. Good luck.
Loosen the belts and then tighten the power steering pump first.
Tighten the pump by following the procedure on page 9-10 in the CSM (Figure 9-22A shows how to do this by prying between the pump hub and the adjusting ear on the mounting bracket slightly below and to the left of the hub). Don't pry on the reservoir.
I was thinking the same thing as Gary, that the PS belt was not tightened in the correct order. Many of us have the similar factory belt setup and do not have squealing problems when the belts are tightened properly.
And there appears to be a chunk taken out of your new alternator belt.
Good eye Kenneth! I have noticed this as well. Not sure what happened there. Once I get the PS belt from squealing I will replace the alternator belt.
Thanks for the reassurance on the other folks here with the similar factory setup with no squealing issues.
I had the same problem with Gates belts. No matter how I tried to make sure they were installed correctly, they would squeal. Switched to AC Delco and haven't had a problem since.
X2 on the belt width. I went through 3 sets of belts on the 77 (including a Delco set) until i found a set that was thin enough to fully seat in the pulley groove. Napa has a cheaper brand of belts called Power Fit. These are thinner then the standard Napa belts, and are much cheaper as a happy plus. They actually didn't realize they stocked these belts until i gave them the part #. After i swapped in the thinner belts, both the squeal and chatter were gone. The Napa near me currently has both my alternator, power steering, as well as AC in stock in the power fit brand. I would imagine your local store has them as well. They are just under $6 a piece. Hopefully this helps!
I have heard that the Olds V8 belt arrangement with a/c would squeal and possibly wear out water pump if the air compressor was removed. On cars that came without air, the alt is on left, PS on right. On cars w/A/C alt and PS on left, A/C on right- (balances out??) Look like yours originally had A/C. But I ran my 350 71 Cutlass a long time with no A/C comp and it didn't squeal or cause any problems.
I have heard that the Olds V8 belt arrangement with a/c would squeal and possibly wear out water pump if the air compressor was removed. On cars that came without air, the alt is on left, PS on right. On cars w/A/C alt and PS on left, A/C on right- (balances out??) Look like yours originally had A/C. But I ran my 350 71 Cutlass a long time with no A/C comp and it didn't squeal or cause any problems.
Don't believe that. Even with multiple belts, there's a large side load on the water pump bearings. One of the reasons that A/C pumps are typically longer than non-A/C pumps is to increase the "wheelbase" between the two shaft bearings to better handle the side load.
As for the squealing, once again, adjust the PS pump FIRST. Use the correct procedure, which I've posted many times here.
Hello all,
I adjusted the PS belt according to CSM this evening and what do ya know. My belt squeal is gone! Just wanted everyone to know in this thread about it and to thank everyone for their knowledgeable advice!
