Didn't expect this under the doghouse cover

[bkahler]

I was poking around the doghouse cover of the 310 the other day and taking reference pictures for when I reassemble the Argosy. I didn't notice the problem until I was sitting at my desk reviewing the pictures.

Can you spot the problem?!


Brad

[robert claus]

Isn't the fan belt coming from the left on upside down?

[bkahler]

Yep, you got it.

I replaced all three belts in April while sitting along I-75 south of Knoxville. I'm fairly certain I got them on right so I have no idea what cause it to roll like that.

Brad

[LimeyRich]

I hate being in the doghouse!
Nice twist on that belt Brad.
My 454 seems to do that too, right at the end of the belts life, except it's always the alternator belt.
All the best. Rich

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by LimeyRich

I hate being in the doghouse!
Nice twist on that belt Brad.
My 454 seems to do that too, right at the end of the belts life, except it's always the alternator belt.
All the best. Rich

Rich,

I don't like being in the doghouse either but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet

It's not the alternator belt that's twisted. I believe it is the crank/waterpump/ac pump that is twisted. All three belts are new within 800 miles.

Any idea what might cause that to happen?

Brad

[clancy_boy]

New belts should be re-tightened shortly after instalation. They get max stretch after they warm up after a few hundred miles.

That is a nice twist - no fan belt noise when running?

[bkahler]

Didn't notice any difference in sound. I had never heard that belts needed to be re-tensioned after installation. It sorta makes sense though. I'll straighten it out and re-tension all three of them.

Thanks!

Brad

[Skater]

I remember seeing some wear on the edge one of my new belts on the B190, and it turned out to be due to the water pump's bearings going bad. I'd check all of the pulleys on that belt for play.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Skater

I remember seeing some wear on the edge one of my new belts on the B190, and it turned out to be due to the water pump's bearings going bad. I'd check all of the pulleys on that belt for play.

Now that's good to know. I'll have to loosen all of the belts to check the water pump but considering the alternative of losing all three belts again at the most inopportune time it's worth it.

Thanks!

Brad

[LimeyRich]

Like clancy boy said remember to retighten the belts once they have had a short running in period. Yeah I knew which belt it was, for some reason my alternator belt is the one that does that. It seems to last just over a year,then twists. I straighten it out, then in about a month it dies. So now I just put a new one on.
Rich.

[bkahler]

This is the first time I've ever seen a belt twist like that. Considering we lost all three belts recently and now this one twisted I suppose there is a good possibility that the water pump or the A/C pump pulley could be going bad.

I'll check all to see if I can find a culprit.

Brad

[idroba]

Since the old stile V belts are far less common than the were in the past, many manufactures are making one size fits all belts, and not telling anyone that they are a compromise and may not work right.

I had a GMC motorhome, 1975. The GMC community found that many of the belts listed for the 455 Olds engine would not last worth a darn. The problem was that they were only 10 mm wide, not the 11 mm of the original spec belt. The trick GMC owners use now is to take an 11 mm open end wrench with them to the parts house. If it just slips over the belt, you have the right width. If it has play in it, it is a 10 mm belt, and the wrong one for the application. Of course you can also take a 10 mm wrench to do the same thing, when you have your thinking cap on right.

Point is that the Chev 454 engine belts could have the same problem. I don't know. You might check with the 454 P 30 forums to see if there are any others having the problem.

[TG Twinkie]

You may be running the wrong type of belt. There is an "A" type belt for industrial/agricultural use that is different from an "A" type belt for automotive use.
One would assume that your supplier would know which belt is the correct one.
As noted above; proper tensioning is important. You might also check for alignment of the pulleys.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, this is caused by being over tightened. As mentioned before they should be installed with the correct tension and after run for as while, [about a week] re-tightened. This is similar to an overloaded Marathon tire, destroying the belts. In your belt, the cords are broken so the stronger side goes to the inside and the weaker side goes out.

[noreen&sal]

Everything should be re-tightened after a while. Especially belts, hose clamps. lug nuts etc. Sal

[ROBERT CROSS]

On the belt thats twisted the one edge thats visible looks frayed, excess tension combined with bad WP bearings may be the culprit. Check ALL pulley's for proper alignment.

Bob

[bkahler]

Thanks guys for the feedback. Over tensioning is something I could probably be guilty of

I replaced these belts while lying on top of a hot engine along I-75. I'll get a new belt to replace this one, check the other belts and also check the water pump pulley. At least this time I'll be laying on a COLD engine

I was not aware of the 10mm vs 11mm potential problem so I'll check to see what is actually installed. I do have the belt sleeves with the part numbers. Guess its time to make sure we bought the right parts.

Thanks all!

Brad

[Keyair]

Good info!

I have been in the Doghouse a lot...
When I was younger and living in England, that was my local Pub!
It was a standard joke...
"I am in the Dog House, but if I am late home, I REALLY will be in the Dog House!"

Dog House, Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire - Home page

Next, I got married..
And spent a lot of time in the less desirable Dog House...

Now, I am unmarried, and my GF is fine with me choosing whatever Dog House I want to be in! In fact, next time we are back in the UK, she wants to be in the Dog House, with me!
In fact... these days, when I want to be in the Dog House.... I bring my own Dogs!

[Excella CM]

Mis-alignment can also be a cause a belt to turn. That can come from bad bearings in one of the driven accessories, or the accessory mount being loose. Some accessories are mounted on rubber which can cause alignment problems when they age.

[bkahler]

I'm hoping I just tightened it to tight when I replaced it in April. I have a bad habit in that regard. Also the previous belt lasted for years without doing twisting.

I'll replace the belt when I get home.

Thanks,

Brad