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73 Hornet 258 Water Pump Pulley

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agarcia323 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote agarcia323 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 73 Hornet 258 Water Pump Pulley
    Posted: Nov/19/2020 at 12:13pm
I have a 73 Hornet 258.  The power steering belt is grinding on the water pump pulley.  The water pump pulley only has one groove.  I don't have ac. Should the water pump pulley have two grooves. 
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73Gremlin401 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 73Gremlin401 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov/19/2020 at 1:27pm
This picture brings back memories for sure.  My 73 Gremlin had the same setup...and the same issue, where the back-side of the PS belt rubbed lightly on the water pump pulley. No, the single belt pulley you have is correct. the issue, if I remember correctly, (and this is going back a good 30 years) was that the PS pump belt was too short, and that caused the pump to be tilted up slightly, causing the rub.

IIRC, I used a slightly longer belt (like maybe 1 or 2") which allowed the PS pump to lay back like it is supposed to, and the rub went away.

The other thing to check, before you buy another belt, is to confirm that there is air-space between the belt and the WP pulley when the engine is off.  If there is, then the contact is only happening when the belt flutters (typically when at full lock left or right, or when quickly turning the wheel).  If that is the only time it is happening, then all you need to do is check belt tension (don't over tighten) and drive the car.

There's a reason AMC changed PS pump mounting in 1974, with the pump moving to the driver's side, with a much better designed brackets. This issue was pretty common.
73 Gremlin 401/5-spd.
77 Matador Wagon 360/727.
81 Jeep J10 LWB 360/4-spd
83 Concord DL 4-dr 258/auto

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ramblinrev View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ramblinrev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov/19/2020 at 3:18pm
Go with Kurt's answer above: get the right length belt.
If not, message me for other ideas. I responded to you a month or two ago on Facebook.
The pulley for a 1973-1974 258 with or without AC is single pulley It looks right from here.

(And one correction from Kurt's post: the accessory mounts all changed sides in 1975, not '74.)
74 Hornet Hatchback X twins (since 1977)
62 American Convertible (still worth the $50 I spent in 1973!) AMCRC #513, AMO #384
70 AMX 360 4-speed (since 1981)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 73Gremlin401 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov/19/2020 at 3:40pm
Originally posted by ramblinrev ramblinrev wrote:

Go with Kurt's answer above: get the right length belt.
If not, message me for other ideas. I responded to you a month or two ago on Facebook.
The pulley for a 1973-1974 258 with or without AC is single pulley It looks right from here.

(And one correction from Kurt's post: the accessory mounts all changed sides in 1975, not '74.)


Thank you for that correction.....the mists of time....
73 Gremlin 401/5-spd.
77 Matador Wagon 360/727.
81 Jeep J10 LWB 360/4-spd
83 Concord DL 4-dr 258/auto

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tomj View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov/19/2020 at 9:58pm
There are also different width/thickness belts, and some shops offer them as "compatible". Funny, I pulled my alt out today (9 yrs old, intermittently noisy bushing) and a new belt off the shelf, and its 7475 instead of 7375. 73xx is narrower, sits lower in the groove.

The 1970 232 in my '63 Classic had this issue. It didn't rub, but it was extremely close, like 1/32" - 1/16", so as the belt flapped a bit it buffed it, and over time...

It's only sorta-broke.

1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5
http://www.ramblerLore.com

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