383 water pump belt

[Keelue]

So I've seen a couple other posts on this and it appears I have pulley issues that will need correcting but just wanted to get your guys opinions. My water pump is currently not hooked up (bought the car a week ago). Block is a 71 383 with a 4 belt crank pulley, from what I gather the water pump and alternator should run off the same belt, no way that's happening with this setup. I can only go straight from the water pump to crank pulley, is this even possible without an idler pulley? Here's a couple pics.

 

[rumcustom]

So I've seen a couple other posts on this and it appears I have pulley issues that will need correcting but just wanted to get your guys opinions. My water pump is currently not hooked up (bought the car a week ago). Block is a 71 383 with a 4 belt crank pulley, from what I gather the water pump and alternator should run off the same belt, no way that's happening with this setup. I can only go straight from the water pump to crank pulley, is this even possible without an idler pulley? Here's a couple pics.

View attachment 634549 View attachment 634550

Not possible. You would have no way to adjust it.

 

[moes]

you need the short water pump to make it line up

 

[Keelue]

you need the short water pump to make it line up

View attachment 634554

Ahhhh, that's what I needed to know, thank you sir!

 

[multimopes]

Hold on thar fella. I ain't sure , but there are several different water pump pulley setups. Not sure if 383 and 440 are the same but here's a picture of mine and there is barely room to clear the water pump bolts. There are also some water pump pulleys with 2 grooves if memory servers me. And it's easier to change the pulley instead of the water pump! Check out 440source on line for pulleys! Here is a shot of mine........

And by the way, welcome aboard!!!

 

[Keelue]

Hold on thar fella. I ain't sure , but there are several different water pump pulley setups. Not sure if 383 and 440 are the same but here's a picture of mine and there is barely room to clear the water pump bolts. There are also some water pump pulleys with 2 grooves if memory servers me. And it's easier to change the pulley instead of the water pump! Check out 440source on line for pulleys! Here is a shot of mine........View attachment 634573

And by the way, welcome aboard!!!

Thanks! Yeah i just got back from Napa, and O'Reilly's. No one has a "short" water pump. Napa even spent the time looking through pictures of all the water pumps trying to find a short version. This pump was used on practically every big block application. My setup is just like what you have though, the pulley should barely clear the bolts of the pump. I was starting to think the alternator mounting bracket must be wrong, but it would have to come out another 3" or so to match up with the water pump pulley as it is now. Checked 440 source and I think this is it, appreciate the help!

http://store.440source.com/Water-Pump-Pulley-Non-A_C-New-Reproduction/productinfo/132-1002/

 

[multimopes]

Yes sir, that looks like the pulley alright! Be aware that sometimes you still need to tweak the pulley a tad to get it to line up properly with the alternator. I think Mr. Gasket makes a variety shim kit pack for cheap, several thicknesses included. They go behind the pulley. I had to use one with my new alternator to line it up.

 

[Keelue]

I actually picked a couple shims up from 440 source along with the pulley just in case. Looking at the water pump on the car it has washers in front of the bolts, which they say wont work, they even recommend lower profile hex head bolts. I'll pull the fan and pulley off tonight, go pick up some bolts from ace tmrw. Thanks for the help multimopes!

 

[multimopes]

You are very welcome. Some guys just grind the bolt head a little thinner and get away with it that way.

 

[Keelue]

I thought about that. But don't want to run into further problems down the road "making things work". Grind it down, then gets rounded out, then turns into a chit show a year or two from now. I'll check the clearance when I get the pulley and go from there

 

[beanhead]

Use the factory size bolts and you'll be fine...just gotta use an open-end wrench and squeeze the bolts(and your fingers!) in there..one of the most frustrating looks-like-it's-easy jobs to do on these old beasts.

 

[multimopes]

As you wish, try to get the same grade bolts if you can. I don't think mine is ground down at all and I still have some room there. The picture I sent above was with the original pump with 8 impellor blades. I changed to a high flow 16 blade aluminum body years ago. That's when I did the shim trick. Before that it was misaligned.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Just a warning don't get in a tizzy if the new pulley doesn't work. I am expecting the new pulley will want to occupy crank pulley space. I have gotten your current setup to work using an idler adjuster and a spacer. There was nothing factory about it and required an odd belt length to get aroud pump housing bolts.
That was years ago when new pulleys were unheard of and factory originals were a rediculess price.
Sorry no pictures.

 

[5.7 hemi]

That’s an ac water pump pulley.

 

[mopar 3 B]

That’s an ac water pump pulley.

Yes his existing water pump pulley is an A/C pulley. The one he ordered is not. What is need with the new pulley is the non-A/C - power steering crank pulley? The required crank pulley will have two grooves. One for power steering and one for water pump/alternator.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Correct and that 2 groove crank pulley can be had new from Bouchilon.

 

[Keelue]

So after getting the correct water pump pulley, and knowing the car has sat for years, figured might as well put in a new water pump. Man, the goop that came out of there when I removed it, ugh. Cleaned it up, installed new hi flow pump from 440source. Got to putting the pulley on and it wouldn't fit with the current crank pulley. Picked up the correct two belt crank pulley and belt, couple hours later and she's running and holding temp for the first time in who knows how long. Still need to flush out the system, but hey, progress! Thanks for everyone's help