Tech Question
Andy Pelton, Grand Rapids, MI, 73, Dodge Dart Swinger 340
Mr. Ehrenberg,
I got my hands on a free ’72 340 engine to put in my Dart. The engine however has the cast iron water pump on it (why I have not changed to an aluminum pump is another story, and is probably the source of my problem).I am having some issues with belt alignment between the alternator and the water pump. The alternator pulley will not sit square to the water pump pulley. I have tried several fixes, but nothing solves the problem correctly. I am about ready to make my own spacer set. Would you happen to have in your “Library of Congress” sized print collection, a print that gives any dimensions of what the spacing between the alternator and the block is? Something to make by eyeball trail-and-error method go a little bit easier would be greatly appreciated.
Andy, what you are asking for, unfortunately, does not exist – the factory assembly drawings do not give any dimensions, just components and hardware relationships, fastener torque values, and part numbers. And, even if they did, they would just show stock parts. Trying to use post-’70 pulleys (i.e.,from an aluminum-pump SB) on a ’69-down iron pump isn’t easy, as you’ve proven.
If you don’t want to use a complete setup from either group (including,obviously, all pulleys, brackets, radiator, hoses, etc.) the you’re in that nether land where you’ve gotta grind spacers, shim pulleys, etc., in a frequently-futile effort to find acceptable belt alignment.
Remember, reproduction pulleys and brackets exist!
Rick
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