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Broken Generator Pulley On My 54

ChuckG

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2001
Messages
585
Location
Florida
Corvette
63FI, 69BB
Ah, the joy of incorrect repro parts. Bought a set of repro belts for my 54. Turns out that the fan/generator belt was too long. This allowed the generator to "swing" too far down. When I made a hard left turn, the steering "drag link" would come back and rub the pulley. This happened a few weeks ago at a show. The pulley finally gave up the ghost, as you can see in the picture.

The cure? After $$$$ for a new cast 53-4 pulley, and a "really correct" repro fan belt, the problem is solved. The "really correct" repro fan belt was about 2 inches less in circumference than the "other correct" repro. Gotta love it. Chuck
 
Wow, looks like a nice bite was taken out of that pulley! :eek
 
That's pretty frightening! I'm glad you've solved the problem but it must have given you some scary moments, wondering just what exactly was making that sound!!
 
It was strange, Mac, as it only made the "screeching" noise on a hard left turn, nearly a hard left "lock" turn. I thought just maybe one of the wheels was rubbing a splash pan. When I "backed off" the steering wheel, the noise stopped. This happened at the Baltimore auto show a few weeks ago. One of the guys guiding me to my parking spot told me sparks were flying out the bottom of the car when the noise occured. NEVER expected this to be a problem. Then, the chunk of metal you see came flying out from underneath the car.

The cure? A new unique 53-4 "Corvette only" cast pulley for $180.00, and a new "really correct this time" fan belt. Chuck
 
Well Chuck, at least it came flying out underneath the car. Sounds like it possibly could have done some damage to the hood or other parts had it gone another direction. I've had some frustrating experiences with repro parts, too, but nothing like that! And of course, there's also the damage done to your pocketbook.
Dick
 
Yikes Chuck.

Looks like you "lucked out" with how the thing broke apart and where it went.

It's always something isn't it, but that's half the fun!?!

Nice to see you over at CAC. I was pretty much a lurker elsewhere, but this looks like a pretty nice place to be.

Take care.
 
Chuck,

I'm glad that the damage was minimal, even if a little expensive.

Tom
 
That's a lot of coin for a simple pulley, cast or otherwise, but I expect with the limited call for such items, the fact it's available at all is miraculous.

Still, $180 is cheaper than if the bite of metal had chosen to head up through your hood or into one of the inner fenders.

-Mac
 

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