Wobbling Balancer / Loosening Power Steering Belt

[capriceforever]

My 79 Caprice has over 300K on the original 350 V8 engine, all hard cold start and short city driving too.

I've noticed in recent years that the power steering belt doesn't stay as tight as it should. The car has only two belts, alternator and power steering, on opposite sides of the engine. If I tighten up the P/S belt, I get a very noticeable wobble in the the balancer on the bottom of the engine. You can also hear a 'whirring' noise coming out of the engine, not its usual quiet.

After a few days, the belt gets less tight, the wobble in the balancer mostly goes away, and the engine is nice and quiet again. But if I tighten it at all, the wobble comes back. The alternator belt stays nice and snug. P/S is fine as long as you don't dry steer. Belt is only a year or two old.

Does this sound like the engine bearings are going? Appreciate any thoughts people have. Engine is definetely broken in... but would be nice if there was a quick fix to this, want to see how long this 350 will take me.

Thanks

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by capriceforever

My 79 Caprice has over 300K on the original 350 V8 engine, all hard cold start and short city driving too.

I've noticed in recent years that the power steering belt doesn't stay as tight as it should. The car has only two belts, alternator and power steering, on opposite sides of the engine. If I tighten up the P/S belt, I get a very noticeable wobble in the the balancer on the bottom of the engine. You can also hear a 'whirring' noise coming out of the engine, not its usual quiet.

After a few days, the belt gets less tight, the wobble in the balancer mostly goes away, and the engine is nice and quiet again. But if I tighten it at all, the wobble comes back. The alternator belt stays nice and snug. P/S is fine as long as you don't dry steer. Belt is only a year or two old.

Does this sound like the engine bearings are going? Appreciate any thoughts people have. Engine is definetely broken in... but would be nice if there was a quick fix to this, want to see how long this 350 will take me.

Thanks

I wouldn't think it would be engine main bearings - if it was you would have (1) low oil pressure and (2) a deep thudding sound under acceleration and also on cruising, coming from the lower end. If the balancer wobbles when you tighten up the belt, my first guess would be the bolt in the center of the crank is gone but this would also cause the other belts to wobble-flop off. It's certainly strange, I don't really have an answer for you. Check that bolt.

[capriceforever]

Thanks for that. I"ll check the bolts, and I think I'll replace the belt even though its fairly new, just in case there is a weak spot/defect in the belt. Will let you know what I find out.

The wobble mostly goes away at higher RPM, but is most noticeable at idle. But yeah, I'm stumped too. Not a big concern since the car still runs great.

[TommySS]

Tighten the crank pulley bolts and you should be good to go.

[TommySS]

Don't know if the balancer bolt would be at issue, but tighten the crank pulley bolts and you should be good to go.

[bobss396]

Make sure your balancer is not coming apart. More than likely the pulley bolts are loose, but look for the outer ring coming loose from the center hub. You may have to pop the pulley off to take a good look at it.

Bob

[TommySS]

Good point on the balancer check