darktideryezing

hey guys,
I just recently picked up a serpentine belt system from a 1990 Camaro RS 305ci. I am going to be installing it onto a 1974 350ci that's inside a 1981 trans am. I was wondering how on earth I get the smog pump off so that I can get to the torx bolts to bolt it to the engine. Sadly I have no real intention of using the smog pump but I definately need to be able to access the bolts to attach it to my block. I know there are 3 bolts attaching the pulley but I've gotten 2 off and the 3rd just won't budge (and I'm having issues keeping the pulley in one place while trying to break it free). I've used PB Blaster and tried everything I can think of. At this point i'm almost tempted to just used a pair of vice grips to get the bolt on and forget about torqing it down well. Any help would be useful.

Darktide

camaronewbie

On the smog pump - just barely loosen two pulley bolts, then place a screwdriver inbetween those two (for leverage) and loosen the third. Sometimes the PB Blaster takes a few days to set in. It's definitely easier when the aluminum bracket is still attached to the block, so you might try attaching the bracket to your block and then remove the pulley bolts from the pump. Or, place the bracket in a vise, and then try the pulley bolts.

If you aren't using the smog pump, don't put it back in - just leave it out, and get the shorter belt and reroute belt as per this tech article

darktideryezing

I need to leave it on because in NH it needs to be present as apparently it was on the original motor. It wasn't a serp system but the vehicle was equipped with Cat's and the air pump so to get it to pass inspection (because most places check it and I'm too honest to lie to them) I need to have it present and installed. I'm just going to run a shorter belt and bypass it anyway but I prefer to have it in there regardless. My original plan was to take the pump apart and remove the innards but after a little inspection the bearings seem to be shot so unless the garage demands the belt be hooked up (though many dont' look under the hood long enough to notice or at all) I will just bypass it.
Unfortunately the 3rd bolt stripped itself. I finally got the pulley held strong enough and it just won't budge. I tried vice grips and still nothing. So i'm quietly contemplating on what to do next. I'm probably going to pick up a set of sockets that have teeth in them for stripped bolts. Hopefully it'll work. If you have any other tips I'm more than open for them.

Thanks for the advice. I'm gunna keep trying.

Darktide

darktideryezing

Well, it took a bit but I got it off (I had to drill a hole through the top of the bolt and use a screw driver as leverage. killed the screwdriver).

Now here's another question. How exactly do I get the two halves of the smog pump apart? I don't think I'm even going to bother though. Now that I have the pulley off I can access all necessary bolts to get it on the block and I can run a smaller belt so I think I'm going to leave well enough alone for once.

Thanks for the help.

Darktide

camaronewbie

Well, legally, I have to have mine installed as well - even though I am no longer required to pass an emissions inspection. But, somehow it magically disappeared!

I don't think you will be able to install the pump, and use the shorter belt to "bypass it" - when you remove the pump, the shorter belt runs right through the area where the pump's pulley would have been - I think you'll either have to leave the pump on and functioning, or remove it.

The pump doesn't really affect any HP anyways, might as well leave it on if you think the smog ****'s will have a cow.

darktideryezing

no but the pump is prone to seizing which will definately ruin my day. But since I have the pulley off I'm just gunna leave it off unless they give me some grief about it. I should be ok. Unfortunately its been raining every single day since I've gotten the setup so I can't go put it on (I hate being a backyard mechanic). So I have to wait until better weather. I'm going to have to get all the bolts (besides the torx bolt) to attach it to the block too so I'll probably do that tomorrow.
Thanks for warning me about the pulley possibly being in the way if I try to use a shorter belt. I'll make sure I double check it before I purchase the belt if I chose to do it that way (not that any parts store wouldn't take it back).

Darktide