What could be causing this?
 

After months and months (probably 8 since it was last started and a almost 2 years since it was last driven) the LX fired up today. Took about 2 minutes of off and on cranking for it to finally fire up. I let it run for about 2 minutes and here is what I noticed:

1.) Bought a brand new belt yesterday. There is belt dust EVERYWHERE now. Is that normal on a new belt? I had a belt shredding problem prior to the car not being driven anymore. I took a look and all the pullies look like they are aligned with each other, belt is tight but not overly tight. Also, the belt felt pretty hot after letting the car run for the 2 minutes. Hot enough to where it started to burn my fingers.

2.) The power steering pump sounds like it is starting to squal when the rpm's are brought up. Since I am running an 8" crank pulley (single belt set up) do I need a larger pulley for the PS? I have yet to really drive the car since I installed the 8" because of clearance issues I have always had with it. If the pump is going bad, any chances this could be causing the belt problem?

3.) Instead of dealing with the PS pump, do I HAVE to run a manual rack to go without power steering, or will the stock unit work without the PS pump?

Just trying to look at options here. Any input from you guys is greatly appreciated!

Re: What could be causing this?
 

I know this is gonna sound simple, but are you certain that the power steering pump pulley or maybe another is actually spinning? The dust and heat make me wonder if the belt is just spinning around the pulley but not spinning the pulley.

Ryan

Re: What could be causing this?
 

1: Something is slipping, take the belt off and make sure all accessory pulleys turn freely.
2: You could be overspinning the pump, but it is not likely if you were just idling. Why are you running an 8" crank pulley?
Do a search over on superchargerhelp.com, the NOVI1000 guys over there that put on the big crank pulleys have posted about the larger PS pulley that you can get from a V6 Taurus and/or Thunderbird.
3: No, you can loop the lines together, but it won't drive as nice as if you buy a manual rack.

Re: What could be causing this?
 

Ryan, the first thing I checked when I heard the squealing was the ps pulley to make sure it was spinning. Oddly enough, that is the only place I don't have belt dust.

fiveohpatrol: I have been a member over at SCH for quite a few years. Only had one person reply over there about this. The 8" crank pulley on the older style Novi1k is suppose to be good for 13-15lbs and I need all I can get at this altitude! I'll have to pull the belt back off and make sure everything is spinning correctly. I went to start the car yesterday to check it again and the battery was dead :mad:

I will probably look into getting an idler pulley in place of the ps pump and hook the 2 lines together. So long as the rack won't self destruct because of this, I am not too worried about it not driving as nice. It is becoming a track only car.

Thanks guys. Any more suggestions are appreciated!

Re: What could be causing this?
 

Ah, I didn't realize you had a Novi on there. The bigger PS pulley would probably help a ton, and is only like $10 new at the dealer.

Re: What could be causing this?
 

I went back outside today and was able to squeeze my camera down in low enough to get a picture of the crank and the water pump pulley's. Looks as if the 2 are rubbing each other still. I guess that leaves me with a few options, none of which will be cheap:

1.) Take the 8" crank pulley to the machine shop and have them make it smaller, or just make a smaller one for me.

2.) Take the water pump pulley down and have them make me a smaller one (it's a 93 Cobra water pump pulley)

3.) Look into getting an electric water pump and fan.

Re: What could be causing this?
 

March underdrives. Crank pulley will be smaller. ;)

Re: What could be causing this?
 

I bought the 8" so I would have more boost. I would hate to go back to a smaller crank pulley. If I went smaller, it would be a 7 3/4" pulley.

Re: What could be causing this?
 

Check the air pump if it's still on there to see if it still rotates. They tend to sieze up when left idle for long periods.

Re: What could be causing this?
 

Actually I got rid of the smog pump while trying to get everything running again. I was able to get the camera down in there and take some pictures. Looks like the crank and water pump pulley's are ever so slightly touching each other. Guess I will end up having a new w/p pulley made because I am running the stock 93 Cobra w/p pulley on there right now and it is still too big..

Thanks for the replys

Chris