Hey y'all,
recently replaced the alternator in my trans am since my last one failed. The alternator is on a 4 rib belt running the water pump, crank and smog pump. The alternator is the same part number but had a different design. The battery bolt is closer in and the alternator bracket cannot fit with the adjusted space. After the install I noticed belt squel on start up when cold. This evening I adjusted it by making the alternator tighter, and a friend pry on the alternator while I tightened. Now it's worse. Any looser and it seems to slip however.

Could the pully be misaligned because because of the lack of the bracket? Or is my belt just wasted. The pulleys lign up to the naked eye. Any advice would be helpful!

 

You likely flipped the belt around so it is now rotating in the opposite direction. Does it nearly every time.

Can try flipping it and see if it clears up, otherwise it is time for a new belt.

And, install it so that the numbers are right side up when looking at the belt. This way if you ever remove it placing it back in the proper rotational direction is as easy as looking at the belt numbers.

RBob.

 

hey!
So the belt is defiantly on right and rotates correctly. It's relatively new so the part number is still bright as day. For now I bought the spray on belt snake oil. It helped, not as embarrassing when starting the car. May just need a new belt?

and to make matters worse, the spoiler cracked in another spot. Very unhappy car right now!

 

I fought that situation for a whole several weeks after acquiring my 86 TA and making it run after 11 years.

Waste of time. Swap to the serpentine system. That V belt abortion makes working on the engine soooooo frustrating.

I would never even consider owning a small block without a serp system. All you need to know is that it's about 15 minutes to change the water pump with the serp. Several hours and much confusion with the V.

GD

 

Fixed it, the bolt I had on there wasn't holding tight. Got deeper threads and a nut and its like new. Thanks y'all!