I'm also getting a squeak/screeching sound from around water pump pulley. I just changed the belts, I've recently got a new waterpump, new fan clutch and it's still screeching. It's really annoying. Car will idle and the squeak is there. Then when I accelerate it'll get even worse for a while. Eventually it goes away. What should I try next?

 

How about tightening the belts?

- Eric

 

Yeah I've tighten them up pretty good.

 

Define "pretty good."

You should be able to deflect the belt about half an inch with HARD pressure from one finger in the middle of the longest run.

- Eric

 

Not too tight and not too loose. I've used some belt conditioner also and it still squeaks

 

If you are certain that the belts are correctly tensioned, then you should remove them all and spin each pulley, feeling for any roughness at all, or any looseness or play.

- Eric

 

Don't feel bad. I still have this problem and have owned Olds for years. I will ask are all your accessories on one side?

 

Okay I'll definitely give that a try and get back to you on that. Thank you

 

What exactly do you mean by accessories? Sorry I'm a newbie.

 

Power steering pump, altenator, A/C, airpump, all depending on what you have.

 

Yes all accessories are on the driver side

 

That by itself can cause it depending on the pullies you have.

 

What do you recommend I do?

 

There are others here that could better point you in the right direction for the correct pullies. Or you could do what I did with my 307 Altenator mount.


100_8175.jpg


You can see the original mount on the driver side and the modified mount on the passenger side here.




100_8101.jpg

 

The only things that lead to belt noise are, improper belt thickness, not tight enough, or misalignment. Belt dressing should never be needed and causes more issues than it's worth.

 

X2 ..keep the belt dressing for the old buzz saws

 

Do a search on how to properly tighten the PS belt since that is often the culprit. 3 bolts and one is hard to see. Assume it's an AC car without a compressor hooked up, which does put all the load on the drivers side and increases likelihood of slipping.

 

This is a common issue with G bodies of the 78-87 era when folks take the AC compressor off and then end up running all loads thru ONE belt essentially. With insufficient pulley wrap. It's too much for that one belt.

Put the alternator on the RH side with no-AC brackets or the modified voodoo per above, or put all the proper belts back on with the AC compressor, per factory issue.

But, start with correct tensioning of the PS, including that bolt hidden behind the pulley, sure.

 

And yet, I've run my 307s without the A/C belt and had no squeaks. The problem is ALWAYS the fact that the PS pump belt is not properly tightened. This is another question that must come up once a week. Search is your friend:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...lt-squeal.html

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...elt-loose.html

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...t-removed.html

 

The outer ring slipped rearward on my 455 once and was touching the timing chain cover. Made a squealing chirping noise sometimes. You don't want that ring to let go.

Tom
68 442
70 F85

 

 

Have you tried taking all the belts OFF and running the engine for a few seconds? I did that with my front-end whine, and determined that it's neither alternator, water pump, or power steering pump. Which leaves the timing chain/gear.

 

My fan clutch was seized up..so I got a new one in there and tightened the ps belt and no more noise...

 

My 350 squeeks a bit. Belts were a bit loose, and tightening them up has improved it, but its still there.
On my car you have to slacken off the alternator and power steering, then tighten the power steering first before the alternator as they share an adjustable pulley.