So, I could use your help here gang. For 30 years, I have always had trouble with the belt running on the fan, radiator etc. They all seem to stretch so easily. I have to reposition the alternator on it's bracket frequently and now it is once again at it's full travel so that I cannot put anymore tension on the belt. The belt is now squealing again. It's almost impossible to find a mechanic anymore; most people are service technicians who plug your car into a computer to diagnose whatever is wrong with a vehicle. So I have a few questions. Is there a brand and part number of a drive belt I should get? It's got the 427 V8. Secondly, about 10 to 15 years ago, the alternator failed and I bought a new one. It is supposed to be a more powerful model and I am sure it is, but it sits about half a millimeter off of how the old one was located. I know this doesn't sound like a lot, but it does make the belt sit in the pulley rail of the new alternator not quite right, and twice I have had the belt come off when the revs run higher, so I have to be careful if I want to push the car. I kept the old alternator. Is it possible to take the inner components of the new alternator and put them into the casing of the old alternator? I hate to ask what may sound like silly questions, but I trust your guidance and experience. Man I wish my high school from 30 years ago had auto shop class....
-Dayco made the original belts for GM for many years. See if you can find someone who sells Dayco and try one of them. Their quality is normally very good. Maybe buy the belt 1/2" shorter than the one recommended. That will give you an edge on the adjustment. If you like, I can check what length that would be.
-Is the alternator on the car now an original GM unit that has been rebuilt? If you car not sure, can you check for any numbers on it? They are usually right on top. If it's a rebuilt GM unit, it's relatively simple to put the guts from it into your original case, which would be a great solution and would keep your car that much closer to original.
-I know guys who have designed a little bracket/tensioner that keeps the belt from flopping at high rpm. The flopping is what causes the belt to come off. It happens because there is too great a distance between pulleys and the belt is kind of free to do what it wants. If you like I can take a picture of my engine and point out what I mean.
-I wish life was "normal" right now. I'd love to be on a plane to Ontario and make Ottawa one of my stops. We could spend some time working on your car and I'm sure we could get all of this solved.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
One other thing to look for, is your new alternator Metric? The lower mounting bolt is 10mm where as the old one was 3/8 which is just enough to misalign the belt. I put an Si 12 140 amp alternator on my 64. I found a mercruiser boat restorer who machines shims for the alternator. A pair of razor thin shims did the trick. I find his name and edit my post.
Rc- Compass marine services
cumberland me
compassmarineservices@gmail.com
-- Edited by pontiax on Tuesday 9th of June 2020 05:01:44 AM
-- Edited by pontiax on Tuesday 9th of June 2020 05:07:01 AM
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pontiax- (canadian pontiac X frame)1964 Parisienne 2dr. Hardtop ,lagoon aqua metallic (Q) ,421 cid Dart Industries block and heads. 550 hp. 575 ft lb of torque.
The alternator should be mounted to the front side of the bracket with the bolt installed from the rear/behind the bracket.
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1967 2dr Biscayne. L36, M40, G80, K05, F41. #'s. 1967 Impala convert. 283, glide. Parked in the garage since 74 and hasn't moved. Soon to be BB 4speed.
Kevin, you won't know the joke but Randy has a twin to the car I pulled that 427 out of that is in your Grande Parisienne, except his "only" has a 350...................................for now.....................................
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Nice to know the insider information on the joke. I certainly do like to have fun with the car. I did do a Cannonball and have had it at Indianapolis, but I don't abuse it. I know just how rare it is. On September 6th, I will have owned it for 31 years! Haven't blown it up yet, and don't plan to for hopefully another 31 years of ownership.
