alt belt squeeling

[overdalimit]

I got an old 85 suburban that has been sitting since at least 2007. The alt belt was trashed so I put in a new one. Ssqueels some times and when it is squeeling the volt gauge shows no charge. If I slow down to an idle speed it will often begin to charge. So I decided to try a new (rebuilt A/C Delco) Alternator. Still does the same thing. Sometimes it charges fine with no squeeling other times it will squeel to the point I can smell burned rubber in the cab. Should I try a little more tension on the belt? It seems pretty tight (you can push down on the belt about a half to 3/4 inch). any ideas?

[Jeremy airjer W]

V-belt?

If you can push it that far its too loose.

Another thing you can do is go with a wider v-belt. I'm sure the original part # starts with "15" go up to a "17" with the same last three numbers. This will help pinch the belt in the pulley and make it less likely to squeal. This was a pretty common practice in the 80's and solved many 2.5 4tech alt squeals.

[overdalimit]

Just went out and looked at it and the alt belt pulley was still able to turn it so i tighened the belt up a bit more. I also looked at the pulleys and they are "rough" due to bring rusty from sitting and I know that can be hard on a belt. But I will try the wider belt first. Thanks Jer

[Macgyver55]

It would be a good idea to clean the rust off the pulleys before putting on the new belt. Otherwise it will prematurely wear the new belt. Or you could run the old one a while now that its tight to clean them up some first.

[overdalimit]

Well now that I have tightened up the belt I will run it and see if the squeeling stops and if so I will try to figure out a way to polish the pulleys without loosing a finger or an eye. Will sleep better once the problem is isolated.

[overdalimit]

Well that was it! tightened it up and no more squeel. Thanks guys. Now to get that plow working!!!