PS belt LS-5 71

[lyndon sharpton]

I am having a hard time keeping my PS belt tight on my car. it is a LS-5 with AC. I can get it tight then drive it a short time an then it is lose again. any thoughts

[Don 42616]

Re: PS belt LS-5 71

Lyndon, My 67 w/o a.c.has a loose p/s belt. I looked at the pump & it moves.
I don't have a long enough open end wrench (around 16" needed) to tighten at least from top.
No room for any socket. Is it possible your pump is not tight? don

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: PS belt LS-5 71

yeah I have to get that bolt from under the car, I get it tight it just will not stay tight. I am going to pick up a new belt an lock washer and try that.the way the PS is on a BB car with AC is not what I would call the best set up.

[Joe L.]

Re: PS belt LS-5 71

lyndon-----

How tight is "tight"? Are you sure that you have the bolt tightened to the specified toque spec. Sometimes, bolts that are hard to get at don't get tightened sufficiently.

Second, if the power steering pump is moving and relaxing tension on the drive belt, then that may also cause loosening of the generator drive belt. Is the generator drive belt loosening, too.

Lastly, are you using GM SERVICE belts? I've found them to be, functionally, the best. For your application, I believe the belt should be a GM #9433739 which is 7/16 X 43-1/2" long or a a GM #9433738 which is 7/16 X 43" long. I'm not sure which and GM is no help on this one. The original belt was of GM #3940992 which was a 15/32" X 43-1/2" belt. However, a 15/32" wide belt, which have not been available from GM in years, will ride a little higher in the pullies than a 7/16 wide belt. So, the slightly shorter 43" belt may be required. Both of the SERVICE belts mentioned remain available from GM.

[Mark #28455]

similar problem on my '70 BB

Several things come to mind.

A new V belt seems to loosen up during it's initial use as it tends to settle deeper into the groove on the pulley. On my car (BB, AC, PS) the "correct" belt would go on fine, but after settling in, was apparently "too long" as even with the PS moved out as far as it would go, would not have adequate tension. I had to start with a belt that was about 1/2" "too short" - a pain to muscle onto the pulley the first time, but once settled into place would maintain correct tension. (sorry, don't remember the length)

Make sure to get all the pump mounting bolts fully tightened - I had to really contort my arms to do that (now I know why the dealership mechanics hated Corvettes .

Use a name brand belt, I think they tend not to loosen up as much.

Mark

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: similar problem on my '70 BB

I don't have the number with me I know that it is a Gates belts.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: PS belt LS-5 71

Joe

the pump will just knock around, the ALT belt is staying tight. I am using a gates belt, with the ribs on the inside of the belt.

[Mark #28455]

Gates betl part number

The belt on my car is a "9447 Gates Green Stripe XL 13A1130"

Hope this helps,
Mark