Power Steering/fan belt...clearance problem with water pump pully

[19julien59]

If this ends up a double post, then please disregard.  I tried to attach photos, but it said my file was too big.  There is a clearance problem with my power steering/fan belt (I am replacing because the last one broke).  It runs VERY close to the water pump pully.  Should this belt go on the outside groove of the fan pully...rather than on the inside groove?  I think the previous owner put it on the inside pully groove of the fan pully...using a Gates 9505 belt...based on how clean and smooth it is compared to the outside groove.  The Gates 7500 that Carquest shows is the correct one is narrower and would fit in the outside pully groove of the fan pully.  Please help.  1976 AC, Dodge 440. 

[JerryT]

My 1978 440 fan belt runs around the crank, fan, power steering. I switched my PS pulley to a double so I could run belts on both grooves.

JerryT

[19julien59]

JerryT: I read about the double pully set-up, but it still seems that the inner belt would be perilously close to the water pump pully...less than 1/8" so any deflection on the power steering belt would rub against the water pump pully.  I wish I could post a picture, but I can't get the file size small enough.  I'll try the picture by itself. 

[JerryT]

On mine the fan is the water pump. One set of belts run the ALT and the A/C via the crank pulley, the other set runs the fan/water pump and the PS via the crank pulley. The inner belt is not close to the water pump pulley, it is running ON the water pump pulley. The 76 440 may be run differently or your's has had some parts changed. Many people over the years have had a power steering belt issue and have tried to correct it many different ways. I think Chrysler added an idler pulley later on. The other work around that many Clipper owners did and was successful at was the second belt. Set your camera to take your pics low res and they should post.

JerryT

[19julien59]

Decided to take the AC to my local shop.  They can straighten out the belts.  Also, having them replace the upper and lower rad hoses, check out the charging system in general, and take a look at the starter (it turns pretty slow).  Just want to be ready for May! 

[JerryT]

I usually find that my Clipper is older than the person working on it (except me )
Remember the words of Ronald Reagan---Trust But Verify---
Take the time and make sure it was done right.
The more research I do the easier my repairs are and I only have to do them once.

JerryT

[John Eversoll]

   What a guy-----What a guy!!!!!

[19julien59]

I hear ya JerryT...but obviously my set up had been "dinked with".  No one here or elsewhere could give me info about the "original" belt setup.  I am more of a mechanic, air-cooled VW and Porsche, than a motorhomer, but this has still been frustrating to figure out.  Maybe that's the crux of my dilemma...why not an air-cooled motorhome?  So many fewer belts and so much less to go wrong! 

My mechanic is an old hot-rod guy, working on his share of 440's, who has had his own shop for over 40 years...so I trust his solution.  I am not an over-the-road, long haul, user...just need to get my AC to my lot and back every year...about 300 miles total. 

Just don't want the agrivation of breaking down on such a short trip....I had enough of that with my '68 VW Squareback (fuel injection of that vintage was a bitch!). 

[JerryT]

Sounds like your in good hands So hard to find any old boys still wrenching around here, they hate the new stuff and not enough old stuff left on the road for them to make a living. I play with old Mopars and old Volvo's, the kind you can fix with a "rock and a stick" Now that I am older I would rather not fix stuff, just drive it. I think these are the "good ole days" right now, I"ll let you know in about 30 years

JerryT

[John Eversoll]

Jerry, I am with you!!!!

I just want to drive my 71 Chevelle SS

I enjoy the looks when I drive down the road.

I know every nut and bolt of this car.  I just hope since I have rebuilt this car with new! quarter pannels and fenders and door skins New motor and new trans---I don't have to do it again!!!
Just listening to the thunder that erups from the headers is a turn on!!

[JerryT]

John

(Just listening to the thunder that erups from the headers is a turn on!!)

You keep talking like that and you might get banned here

Are you ready for Christmas yet? I still need to go shopping.

JerryT

[John Eversoll]

Yup Jerry, we are ready ...We bought our homein Oregon and will be moving there in March.. That be our Christmas Presant
and My wifes annaversary -gift-  I told her that since she put up with me for 30 yrs I bought her the house...

"But "   I get the garage!!!!

John

[JerryT]

But, is the garage bigger? If not, why so?

JerryT

[19julien59]

JerryT....I see in your byline "50 inch tall cabover bed"...what is that and if it is what I think, how did you do it?

[JerryT]

Here is a link to that post.

http://americanclipperownersclub.com/techforum/index.php?topic=1372.0

JerryT