I just got done installing AC in my 40 for my upcoming drive across country. I'm using Alan Grove brackets on a 1970 SBC with the short water pump. I'm getting the dreaded belt squeal with the AC on, mostly at idle. I don't see any way of getting two belts on the compressor with this set up but maybe I'm missing something. Any ideas?? Sorry about the picture, just tilt your head!
Pulley alignment is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL! If one is off just a r.c.h., it will squeal. If they're dialed in, your belt could be either too loose or too tight. Don't start spraying shit on there to fix it. Keep adjusting until it's gone. I spent about ten hours getting mine correct. You are using a brand new belt, right?
Make dang sure you have the right size belt. You might need to go to a slightly wider belt that fits into the groove better. You can also try a different style belt, i.e., solid vs cogged. I have aluminum pulleys on my car without any problems at all and they've been on there for 15 years. The belts I use are cogged instead of solid.
Ten hours? You obviously have more patience than I do. I probably would have set it on fire and extinguished it with a sledge hammer after the first hour.
Belt alighnment looks good and I have a cogged belt like they suggest. The only pulley that the belt doesn't seat fully in is the water pump pulley. The squealing problem happens mostly at idle. Oh, and thanks for not busting my balls for putting AC in it!
Have you called Alan Grove? He might have a suggestion. I have had the same setup on two cars with no problems.
I'll have to give Grove a call, and maybe touch base with Vintage Air too. Thanks for the input fellows. Okiedokie, I tried to PM you but I haven't figured that out yet on the revamped forum. You say you have the same set up? What type of belt are you using?
[QUOTE="OL 55, post: 10422948, Okiedokie, I tried to PM you but I haven't figured that out yet on the revamped forum. [/QUOTE]......Click on his screen name, then click on it again when his profile page appears. That should expand his page and there is a place (showing your avatar) where you can send him a message.
I'm not sure why we don't get a notification pop-up like before when we have a message. Maybe it's still in the works.
I just installed an LS2 in my '36 coupe. I used the Alan Grove pulley for my A/C as well. The serp belt on mine was chirping pretty bad too. A friend suggested getting a laser alignment. I added a little belt dressing on and it disappeared for now. If it comes back I guess I'll get a laser alignment.
My 63 BelAir has a recent Vintage Air system installed on a Chevy 350 with no belt squeal. The A/C compressor belt is a Gates XL part number 7550. Gary
"Okiedokie, I tried to PM you but I haven't figured that out yet on the revamped forum. You say you have the same set up? What type of belt are you using?" I have Gates 7575 XL on the A/C and Gates 7535 XL on the Alt. Hope that helps.
Also, my pulleys are steel, powdercoat on comp. and chrome on alt. Failed to mention ps pump belt. It is Gates 7340 on an aluminum pulley.
Thanks guys. I'm running a Dayco belt on mine. I'm going to put a few more miles on it this weekend. I'll be running up to the Jalopy show down Saturday so I'll do some more investigating after that.
I had one belt squeal that turned out to be an old (stale) new belt. It was probably on the rack at Kragen for many years without being sold, and when I bought a good fresh belt, the issue disappeared. The thing is it didn't seem stiff until compared to a good one, but the rubber had hardened up some.
You need to make sure your high side pressure is ok, not enough air movement across the condenser and the hi side pressure will go way up causing the ac comp to basically try to lock up
Oh yes! I totally forgot the A/C system itself! It'll do that from other faults in the system as well. I've had elevated pressures from clogged orifices, bloated/burst dessicant in driers, and just too much oil/freon in the system.