66 429 issues.. Horrible squealing belt

[George Stipe]

Here is the rundown.
I have a 66 Superior coach,  with a 429.
Ive been fixing problem after problem,  trying to get this thing running, and I think Im at the last problem before it will be ready for driving.

The belt area sounds like a pig getting smacked.  The sound is gone when there is no belts on (No accessories turning via crank),  and the sound is still there when the belt running from the water pump to the alternator is removed.

The belt that seems to cause problems has been replaced (A few times, from frying, snapping, etc),  and runs from the crank, to the water pump, to the power steering pump.

The power steering pump has been replaced,  and has a new pulley.  To the eye,  the pulleys line up pretty well (Id say within .030, if even that much, after machining the new pulley by eye).

The thing is,  the problem is still there.
I have a new water pump Im going to try out,  but in the meantime,  does anybody have any good suggestions?  Im completely out of ideas.

Thanks,
-George

[Bruce Reynolds # 18992]

Gday George,

Annoying belt noises can be a nuisance, but the following might help:

(1)   A loose belt will squeal as it slips,
(2)   Too tight a belt will cause problems,
(3)   Too dirty a belt can lead to spillage, and noise.

The belt must be resting on the sides of the V Pulleys, and not down on the bottom of the belt.

If the noise disappears when spraying it with a little bit of water, try applying a bit of belt dressing on the sides, or chalk.

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV

[Mike #19861]

 An old and dry belt can be noisy as well, but I have to assume you thought of this already.

  Is the power steering pump causing excessive drag on the belt? That can cause it to slip as well. If so, and it is causing the belt to slip it will heat up.

 You can try some belt dressing as Bruce suggested, or what I use is a dab of silicone grease on either side of the belt (when the engine is stopped)If the noise is gone at that point, then I would just replace the belt and see what happens. They are cheap enough.

  Mike