Alternator pulley not lining up with crank and power steering pullies
April 14th, 2018, 04:50 PM
#1
Chris
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southern New Jersey
Posts: 1,284
Alternator pulley not lining up with crank and power steering pullies
Hi! My Alternator pulley is not lining up with crank and power steering pulley grooves on my 72 cutlass 350. I've tried both the 1972 and 1971 bracket set ups I've also tried each of the 1971 and 1972 alternators and even an SI alternator for good measure, and they all set the alternator about 1/4" - 3/8" back too far. Has anyone else experienced this? What do you think would cause this? What it be a bad thing to put a few washers between the block and the alternator bracket to move it up a bit? No spacers are shown in the 71 or 72 assembly manuals between the block and the alternator bracket. And then i'd have to put washers between the other braces and that one to make up the difference. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Chris
Chris
Last edited by Oldssupreme; April 14th, 2018 at 04:52 PM.
April 14th, 2018, 05:46 PM
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Medford, Oregon
Posts: 13,684
When things don't line up my first thought is you don't have the correct pulleys. Can you post pictures of the alternator bracket your using? Can you tell us what water pump (length of nose) you've got? Then what codes are stamped into the crank and water pump pulleys?
John
John
April 14th, 2018, 05:49 PM
#3
Chris
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southern New Jersey
Posts: 1,284
Hi John. Sure I can do that when it's light out tomorrow. What's strange is that the crank ad power steering pulleys both line up fine with the water pump pulley. The alternator is the only odd one. It is a new water pump though....
April 14th, 2018, 05:54 PM
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Medford, Oregon
Posts: 13,684
I still think its possible that the two pulleys are matched, but are not correct for the combination you have. But yes, when you can post those details I'm optimistic we can help you key out the problem. John
April 14th, 2018, 07:55 PM
#5
Rodney
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,318
Chris:
How are you measuring the misalignment? Are you using the '71 or the '72 brackets? My '72 brackets needed a little persuasion (BFH) to get all the holes to line up, and I think I added a 1/8" flat washer between the front PS bracket and the PS pump to move it back a little. My engine is on a stand at the moment so it was easy to lay framing square across the crank pulley and measure the distance to the second groove on the crank pulley and then measure the distance to the first groove on the PS pulley. They should be the same.
How are you measuring the misalignment? Are you using the '71 or the '72 brackets? My '72 brackets needed a little persuasion (BFH) to get all the holes to line up, and I think I added a 1/8" flat washer between the front PS bracket and the PS pump to move it back a little. My engine is on a stand at the moment so it was easy to lay framing square across the crank pulley and measure the distance to the second groove on the crank pulley and then measure the distance to the first groove on the PS pulley. They should be the same.
April 14th, 2018, 08:16 PM
#6
CH3NO2 LEARN IT BURN IT
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Land of Taxes
Posts: 4,821
You've likely mixed and matched brackets and or have the wrong water pump and or are missing some key spacers behind some of the components. The AIM will guide you here (assembly manual).
April 15th, 2018, 05:56 AM
#7
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,259
They lined up when the car left the factory, so why don't you start by telling us what you changed that has now caused them not to line up. WHICH alternator brackets (A/C or non-A/C)? WHICH water pump? WHICH fan pulley? WHICH crank pulley?
April 15th, 2018, 06:06 AM
#8
72 Olds CS
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,657
Hey Chris
This thread has the power steering spacer sizes and locations, it may help to make sure these are correct as well.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...p-spacers.html
If it helps my 72 350 w AC had a 6" water pump on it.
This thread has the power steering spacer sizes and locations, it may help to make sure these are correct as well.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...p-spacers.html
If it helps my 72 350 w AC had a 6" water pump on it.
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