Pulley Alignment for Narrow V Pulleys

[Bmartin]

My new engine is a 230 from a 1948.  My old engine was from a 1940.  The 48 has the narrow V Crank Pulley and I've got a matching narrow V pulley on the alternator (good alignment between those two).  I bought a narrow V pulley for the water pump from a 52 Dodge.  The Crank/Alternator do not line up with the water pump pulley. The pump is from Bernbaum and is for a 1950 and back.  Bernbaum has a different pump for 1951 and newer, but Napa is showing the same pump works (Although they show a different remanned one as an option for a 52 Dodge).  Anyone know of differences between water pumps for the years and if they have different heights to account for the misalignment?  How much misalignment can a V belt tolerate?  Would the 51 and newer pump from Bernbaum solve the issue?

 

Thanks,

Brian

[Don Coatney]

Have you asked Bernbaum this question? Belt misalignment leads to premature wear and failure along with less gripping capacity. 

 

If all else fails you could swap your original crank pulley and buy a fat belt alternator pulley.

 

[Young Ed]

The pulley bolts on to the water pump and I don't think narrow vs wide changed the alignment. Believe you need to adjust the alt

[Bmartin]

Well, finally grabbed a neighbor and was able to use a couple straight edges.  They look out of wack, but the ruler says they're fine. Can't trust my I, eye suppose.  Lesson learned. 

[martybose]

FYI, the only difference between an early and late 230 waterpump is whether they have the external bypass (early) or the extra cutout in the backplate for the internal bypass (late).  You can use the late waterpump on an external bypass engine by swapping the rear plate.

 

Marty

[wayfarer]

The single best way to check pulley alignment is to take a piece of 3/8 round stock, maybe 30" long and bend a 90 about 10" from one end. Lay the crook of the rod on one of the sheaves with the rod set in the groove on two sides, then lay the long arm of the rod on the other sheave.

If it drops into the groove then it is aligned.........