It all started with a belt squeal, because the pulleys were misaligned. How this happened is not clear.
![](dscn3126m.jpg)
The alignment is not as bad as it looked, but the compressor mount had to be removed and shimmed out at the bottom. This is a factory unit so why this has to be is ???
![](dscn3122m.jpg)
The compressor Mount with idler pulley is a design nightmare. It is not easy to Install it/ Remove it or tighten the adjustment nut
![](dscn3123m.jpg)
![](dscn3124m.jpg)
![](dscn3125m.jpg)
![](dscn3129m.jpg)
![](dscn3130m.jpg)
![](dscn3132m.jpg)
The other issue here were the mismatched pulleys The crank pulley was a 6.375" and the WP pulley was 5.875". The WP pulley (#1558639) is Factory correct, but the correct crank pulley is NLA. The correct size for the crank is also 5.875". Using 2 different diameter pulleys on the WP cause noise and loss of power
![](dscn3121bm.jpg)
This simplified diagram easily shows the disparity and the issue..
![](dscn3128m.jpg)
Since the Factory crank pulley (#1553596) is "Unobtanium" and no one I asked could redrill a crank pulley to mount on a water pump to achieve equilibrium, so an early thought was to avoid the WP Pulley and mount an idler to achieve this.
![](dscn3134m.jpg)
At this juncture, a brief attempt was made to fabricate a standoff with the pulley above. It would not be difficult, but perhaps a ready made solution was available.
A visit to the Vintage Air website proved fruitful. they advertise a kit to mount A/C on a Stude truck, but digging deeper revealed they also have kits for any V8, with and without power steering.
Some days later the kit arrived and the bracket was a well made item. It fastened using one of the thermostat housing cover bolts and two of the power steering pump mount points
![](dscn3137m.jpg)
![](dscn3139m.jpg)
You have to remove the pump and the special shoulder bolts that hold the pump in alignment with the pulley. Then, insert a long 5/16 bolt threaded through some thick wall spacers to achieve the idler bracket position and the pump location.
![](dscn3140m.jpg)
The problem is that, doing this while holding the PS Pump, the spacers and the bolt when you only have 2 hands is somewhat of a stretch...
So I tossed the bolts and fabricated 2 long studs which get inserted first which makes it easy to put the spacerson, then the pump, etc.
![](dscn3142m.jpg)
![](dscn3144m.jpg)
![](dscn3145m.jpg)
So now the bracket is in place. Finding now that the adjustment arc of the idler is limited due to its location
![](dscn3146m.jpg)
Tried a smaller pulley from the shelf and this proved better but the bearing will need a replacement.
![](dscn3147m.jpg)
![](dscn3148m.jpg)
![](dscn3149m.jpg)
Arriving at a decent fit with the idler now introduces an interference with the belt and the upper radiator hose. This can be remedied by using a couple sections of silicone hose and changing the lie of the hose itself. Parts ordered...
Go on to the next episode - The $100.00 radiator hose
|
|