Power Steering Belt: Removal? Are two belts better than one?

[Dan]

Hi Tom,

I agree, it's better to labor at home than fowl up a trip/vacation.

My coach's PS pump pulley lacks a second V groove - it can take just
one belt. However, I am thinking that two belts confer the following
benefits, 1. redundancy, and 2. less lateral strain on the pump
bearings. If smart people like you agree with me, then I am going to
hunt down or make a pulley with two V grooves!

Thanks,

Danny
FC33, 1978
San Jose, CA


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
wrote:
>
> Stop and think of all of the complaints you hear on this forum and
> others about the power steering unit causing problems and making
> noise. If you install the correct number of belts and tension them
> properly as I noted then you should have no trouble for a long
time.
> I decided on replacing all of the V belts on the engine every 2
years
> whether they looked good or not. I am sure there will be others
that
> will poo poo this for a number of reasons. But my rationale is
this.
> I do what ever preventative maintenance that will give me the
> smallest chance of breaking down on the road. Its easiest,
cheapest
> and fastest to replace belts at home where I can do the work at my
> leisure and do it right. The installation of the belts and proper
> tensioning of them with the Kriket works.
> Once again put to much tension on the various belts and you run
the
> risk of premature belt failure and problems with the power
steering
> pump and engine coolant pump. However that is a decision each of
you
> can make for yourselves.
>
> tom warner
> vernon center,ny
> 1985 PT 40
>
>
> At 09:56 AM 6/17/2006, you wrote:
>
> >My '81 has only one power steering belt - it goes around the crank
> >and pump pulleys only. It is behind at least two other belts on
the
> >crank pulley, both need to be removed in order to get it off. In
> >order to get to them, you need to get behind the radiator. I have
> >tightened my power steering belt without opening up the rad
though,
> >its not easy but was definately quicker than swinging the
radiator.
> >
> >Good luck,
> >
> >Tim Hannink
> >Winter Park, FL
> >1981 FC-33SB
> >
> >--- In
> > 40yahoogroups.com>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> >"Dan" wrote:
> > >
> > > Howdy,
> > >
> > > I have a 1978 FC33, 3208NA, with disagreeable power steering
> >(noise,
> > > high effort).
> > >
> > > I want to replace the power steering belt to rule it out. So I
> > > checked the files on this forum which state "2ea", My pump has
one
> > > belt and a one-belt pulley. Note: there is an un-used V slot on
> >the
> > > Crank Pulley, possibly intended to drive the PS pump. Can
someone
> > > solve this mystery? Any advantage to two belts?
> > >
> > > In looking at the belt, it is behind two other belts, which go
up
> >to
> > > the fan with no obvious way to induce slack. Do I need to
remove
> >the
> > > radiator to change the PS belt? Is there a procedure (or
diagram)
> > > someone can share with me.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Danny
> > > FC33, 1978
> > > San Jose, CA
> > >
> >
> >
>