Hey folks I have a 69 with a 427/400 the belts are ready to fall off, the alt belt is easy just slide it to adjust, but I can't figure out how to adjust the water pump belt.
also whats the best DIY book to buy,
thanks

Mark,

I have both the Chilton's and Haynes manuals in my garage library. For the most part they cover the same stuff, but there are some things that one does a better job of explaining than the other. A general service manual or Assembly Instruction Manual (A.I.M.) would also be good library additions.

The accessories (A/C, power steering, etc.) you have will determine the belt adjustment options. "The Toy" doesn't have any of those so it's pretty simple. On other older cars I've had in the past the alternator was the adjusting point for one belt and the power steering pump, or the A/C compressor, for the other belt.

Hope that helps!

Sorry I forgot to say I don't have power sterring or Ac, Is there another adjustment on the water pump it self? the alt adjustment is all the way out and I have the correct belt.
any thoughts?

Without looking at a manual or under the hood my suggestion would be to go to a slightly shorter belt. Something has changed over time, like a pulley size or bracket length, to where you can't get the 'parts book' correct length belt to tighten up.

Jim O.
Save the Wave...!!!

The bracket on the alt lookss correct, in fact the bracket was reversed it was in front of the alt now it's behind as corect, also on another subject, do you know where I can get the trottle return spring holder that goes on the manifold? Do you have a big block engine? If so I'd love to see soem pictures to find out what else is incorrect or missing.
thanks

I'm (hopefully) reaching the end of the fit and try sizing cycle for the alt/waterpump/fan belt on my driver 75 ex-L48 (now more Edelbrock than GM) NAPA (Gates) belts size out in 1/2" increments ... and stretch. A nice tight fit on Sunday ... screams like a banshee by Friday. Car is pulley'd for air, altho I removed the chiller completely to save weight and eliminate parasitic power loss. Trying third size tomorrow. If there's a better way than fit-and-try, I'm ready to hear it!

Mark - check a few parts catalogs (Corvette America, Bairs, Eklers, Zip, etc) for the spring holder. If they don't have it you may need to go to a dealer. Got the small block in "The Toy" so pictures of it won't help you much.

Jed - try using a chunk of string or small diameter rope to measure for belt length. It may not end up being the exact length you need, but it'll give you a ballpark length to start from.

Jim O.
Save the Wave...!!!

Thanks, Jim. The shortfall I've found with using that approach is estimating stretch. Installed a NAPA 7530 today ... we'll see what happens over the next few.

<I can do belts just about blindfolded now. Running tall valve covers (roller rockers) means the valve cover's gotta come up each time, too.>

How many pulleys does that water pump belt go around? Which ones?

On my 350, config for water pump belt is innermost track of crank pulley, innermost track of water pump pulley and alternator pulley. PS belt is outermost track of crank pulley and PS pump pulley. (PS belt has to be dropped to change the alternator belt. Really appreciate that extra trip under the car, GM!)

There are other configs, varying by engine type and combination of belt driven accessories e.g. AIR pump, AC compressor, PS, etc. I've seen at least three configs illustrated in the manuals.