Can anybody tell me how to retension my p/s belt? There's like 6 bolts on the thing and I have no clue which ones to loosen and which way to pry on the thing. The chassis manual is of no help. Also, if anyone happens to know the belt numbers to get new belts, I could use p/s, alt, a/c, etc.. Thanks!
Scott, here are what Gates lists. Gates has their entire cat. online. It will even give you cross #s for other manufactures, like ACDelco and Napa. 1971 Buick Skylark V-8 350 Application Product Type Part # Comments Belt Drive System Belts Fan & Alt. High Capacity V-Belt 7455 P.S. High Capacity V-Belt 7420 Fan & A.C.; W/Perf. Axle High Capacity V-Belt 7612 Fan & A.C.; W/Std. Axle High Capacity V-Belt 7603
Shweeeet!! Thanks Zach!! Whats the diff between Standard and Perf Axle tho? Why should that effect the belt? Now all I need is the info on tensioning the belt.. :TU:
If its anything like mine (sticks out like a sore thumb) look on the back of the pump, You should see a bolt (stud) on the back, near the bottom, that goes through a slot in the bracket. Loosen this one to let the pump pivot. Mine has only one other bolt going through the brackets and pump itself, into the head. Sometimes its so tight you have to loosen it just a bit to get the pump to pivot. (The rest of the bolts just hold the bracket to block, others hold a bracket to the pump). Push the bottom of the pump toward the engine to loosen, away to tighten. I usually have a pry bar to help keep the tension while I tighten it.
I think they put different size compressor pullies depending on the axle ratio because of the difference in engine rpms.
Well, after undo'ing three bolts, standing there with a crowbar scratching my head for 20min wondering if it even moves, I pulled out my 12in socket extension and did something that made absolutly no sense but worked... LoL I can't figure out why prying against the same surface can accomplish anything, but it did... What were the R&D guys thinking? Hopefully tomorrow I'll hit Napa for some new belts. One more question tho, the P/S assembly doesn't move much, and doesn't seem to move down into a relaxed/no-tension posistion. So how does the thing come off? Ahhh, gotta love the board, right guys? :beer :TU: Thanks again you two!
Not sure on that one. You can try loosening things some more, or pushing harder. Also look it over very well. Maybe something is in the way, or there might be another bolt holding it (shouldn't be, but then again, I'm only familiar with what is on my car). If its to the point that the belt will pull out of the groove but not all the way, you can gently coax it from where it first meets the pully. Get the edge started and turn the pump pully by hand so the belt will "ride" out. Or you can just cut the belt, but that doesn't solve the problem of getting the new one on. I'd try loosening things more first.
:Smarty: Did you loosen the bolt thats behind the pully.....the holes in the pulley are there for you to loosen that bolt....here is what I did to get at it on 1 of my cars... I cut the belt....turned the pulley to get the hole lined up....loosend the bolt....and the pump was able to move and be loose. Just make sure you have that kind of setup before you go cutting. Also the belt thats on there could be a smaller than required belt, so you may have to cut it to get it off. Man, my 70 power steering pump is so EASY!!!! on my Skylark...its away from the block so its really easy to work on it :laugh: . Hope this helps :TU: Larry
