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Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 14, 2012, 12:20 pm
by Bill W
Hi All. i am having a problem with belt alignment on the engine install, I thought it would just be with the power steering belt but after installing the Alt and brackets it's also off.

the alt belt is off by about 3/8 of an inch inward from the bottom pulley and water pump pulley. i figure i can run a few machine washers to bring it out to where it needs to be, BUT the PS pulley is off by about 1 1/2 inches inward from the 3rd lower pulley on the crank. i really don't want to spacethe bracket out that far, is there another way to skin this cat and make it right?
on a side note... I got to meet Tom and his Wife from Flashbacks this morning. Great People!

Tom did say there might be another smaller dia pulley for the power steering pump that i could run. he said it offsets the pulley and belt outwards. anyone of you have something like that you would get rid of or know where to find one?
Thanks Everyone.
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 14, 2012, 1:31 pm
by ICEMAN6166
Bill
pics would really help here.
i do know there are variations in the brackets and spacers.
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 14, 2012, 4:43 pm
by Bill W
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 14, 2012, 6:45 pm
by ICEMAN6166
looks to me like if you could flip the ps pulley over it would line up.
not sure if thats even possible.
i will say the bracket holding the ps pump does not look correct to me
you might try looking over at fordification in the pics gallerys to see some other 390s with ps.
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 14, 2012, 11:00 pm
by 6166 Junkyard Dog
Bill I did find with some bottom pulleys like I was talking up here in Phoenix but the pumps where already Gone with that backwards pump pulley,,,,,, Brian the pulley I was mentioning is a smaller pulley that looks like its reverse and then he can run the outside pulley on the bottom from there straight to the pump
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 15, 2012, 7:40 am
by Hawkrod
Yeah, I don't know where you got that PS pulley but it isn't for that engine. Those pulleys were only used on 1970 and newer smallblocks and 429/460. For that setup you should have a much smaller pulley that cups forward and is marked 6AA. The alternator alignment is probably an issue of the wrong spacer behind it but those parts appear to be right otherwise. Hawkrod
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 15, 2012, 8:07 am
by Bill W
the power steering box, pump, pulley and brackets (except the top bracket that the pump slides on) < i got that one off of an FE sitting in the pick-n-pull, All came from a F250 mid 70's with a 460.... i will figure it out somehow, Thanks for all the help Guys.
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 16, 2012, 7:59 am
by Hawkrod
Bill W wrote:the power steering box, pump, pulley and brackets (except the top bracket that the pump slides on) < i got that one off of an FE sitting in the pick-n-pull, All came from a F250 mid 70's with a 460.... i will figure it out somehow, Thanks for all the help Guys.
Yeah, that is common. Many people assume a 460 setup will work but the pulleys are completely different as you now know. The FE and 460 motors are completely different except for the pump and pump mounting to the adjustment bracket. Just find a 6AA pulley and you will be good to go. Also note that you can't just flip over the pulley as suggested as you would never be able to remove it again as the removal grove is only on the front side. Hawkrod
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 16, 2012, 11:46 pm
by Bill W
Today i put a BAND-AID on the problem, i made 3 spacers out of 3/4 solid steel rod, used my very old rusty drill press and bored 3/8 holes down the center (what a pain) but it's done! also got the steering column installed... what a nightmare that was!
ALSO! how many firewall clips do you bend up installing a firewall pad?...... all of them.
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 16, 2012, 11:58 pm
by ICEMAN6166
Bill W wrote:ALSO! how many firewall clips do you bend up installing a firewall pad?...... all of them.
what method were you using?
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 17, 2012, 12:12 am
by Bill W
ICEMAN6166 wrote:Bill W wrote:ALSO! how many firewall clips do you bend up installing a firewall pad?...... all of them.
what method were you using?
wood block and rubber mallet... trouble was keeping the tip in the hole before you wack it!
Re: Belt Alignment problems
Posted: October 17, 2012, 10:17 am
by ICEMAN6166
i used skinny 90* needlenose to hold them in place.