AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => The Engine => Topic started by: 83 SX/4 on October 09, 2011, 06:02:35 PM

Title: Serpentine pulley alignment
Post by: 83 SX/4 on October 09, 2011, 06:02:35 PM
I have been getting the last few problems worked out of my Eagle so that I can get it back on the road. It is running and seems to be doing well EXCEPT that the belt is not running where it should on the water pump and the harmonic balancer. It looks like the alternator and power steering pump both are sitting too far back and this is causing the belt to run on the back edge of the water pump and harmonic balancer pulleys. Is there a way to adjust the pulleys themselves or do I need to try and space the entire brackets forward? This problem has just killed a belt in less than 10 miles of running.


(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee497/83sx4/th_IMG_20111009_145607.jpg) (http://s1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee497/83sx4/?action=view&current=IMG_20111009_145607.jpg)(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee497/83sx4/th_IMG_20111009_145638.jpg) (http://s1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee497/83sx4/?action=view&current=IMG_20111009_145638.jpg)(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee497/83sx4/th_IMG_20111009_145555.jpg) (http://s1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee497/83sx4/?action=view&current=IMG_20111009_145555.jpg)
Title: Re: Serpentine pulley alignment
Post by: 83 SX/4 on October 09, 2011, 09:42:15 PM
Well...I may have figured out my alignment problem. The harmonic balancer is not fully seated onto the crank and is sticking out a bit too far. :banghead: Since it is already torqued to spec and beyond I will pull it to see if anything is blocking it and try to mount it again. I guess it will be a little longer before I am back on the road.
Title: Re: Serpentine pulley alignment
Post by: carnuck on October 09, 2011, 11:34:44 PM
My '83 J10's 4.2L Serpentine pulley has the grooves closer to the engine (like a 4.0L) The one in my Eagle had a 3/8" thick piece closer to the block.
Title: Re: Serpentine pulley alignment
Post by: Gil-SX4 on October 10, 2011, 01:12:17 AM
OK so the crank pulley is not seated all the way in, how about the water pump?
Title: Re: Serpentine pulley alignment
Post by: 83 SX/4 on October 10, 2011, 04:03:11 AM
Quote from: Gil-SX4 on October 10, 2011, 01:12:17 AM
OK so the crank pulley is not seated all the way in, how about the water pump?

The water pump pulley seems to be seated properly. I will have to take another look at it tomorrow. It may be that the belt was being pulled back by the harmonic balancer pulley. Or other pulleys may be off. More to check.

Are any of the pulleys designed to be adjustable for alignment or is the alignment supposed to be fixed?
Title: Re: Serpentine pulley alignment
Post by: carnuck on October 10, 2011, 05:42:21 AM
They are supposed to be in alignment from the get go. Is this a replacement engine? If so, the harmonic balancer may need to be tapped in 3/8" past the end of the crank IF an older non-serpentine crank was used. It's one of the things that has to be watched out for with strokers too.
Title: Re: Serpentine pulley alignment
Post by: 83 SX/4 on October 11, 2011, 07:47:11 PM
So the harmonic balancer was not on all the way. Not sure what it got hung up on but I pulled it off and reinstalled it and now it is lined up properly and the belt is staying where it should on both the balancer and the water pump. Finally got in a decent road test and all seems to be going well.
Title: Re: Serpentine pulley alignment
Post by: eaglefreek on October 11, 2011, 08:10:27 PM
Great news and a somewhat easy fix.