Serpentine Issue On LS3

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Oct 9, 2020 | 09:34 AM

themealonwheels

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From: North Houston

Serpentine Issue On LS3

I have an ls3 crate motor in my 57 belair. To fit the ac compressor, I have the corvette accessories with an ict billet high mount compressor bracket and a manual tensioner. I'm 5200 miles into the swap, and I just installed my 3rd belt. The first one started squealing badly on the 19 power tour, at first only when it was cold, then eventually most of the time. I looked at pulley alignment and determined one of the spacers on the ict bracket had a ribbed idler a little too far out. I shaved it and the squealing went away for a while.

Eventually, the squealing came back. I had damaged an outer surface on that belt, so swapping to a new one fixed the squeal. All was good for a few low mile months, but then I started smoking on start. I went in to look and found a few issues. First, wet around the ps reservoir. It's remote mount for the hydroboost, but I tightened the fitting at the bottom and called it good. Still smoking, so I went in again. This time, the Serpentine belt was in the right place, I saw a split between ribs about 8 inches long! Ordered a new belt and installed it today.

when I took off belt number 2, even more surprises. First, one edge was gouged, not worn, like with the first belt. Second, the split. Third, water on the underside of the belt under the water pump pulley and on the crank pulley. That water pump is gm installed, 5200 miles!

So, any thoughts? I suspect the ict billet bracket alignment right now. But the water pump issue raised an interesting thought: could that be the cause of the cut between grooves?

I guess it's worth asking, anyone else seen this? What was your fix?