V Belt Noise

 Our Studebakers were built when the common method of driving the fan/water pump, and, if equipped, the power steering pump and also the air conditioning compressor and idler pulleys - were a “V” belt system.

Now all cars have a single wide ribbed belt to drive all such accessories.  Not that there was anything wrong with a “V” belt - the desire was to shorten the overall engine length since engine compartments are becoming more compact and crowded.

Changing a “V” belt might have been one of the first tasks that a young do-it-yourself mechanic might have attempted on his car.  The only thing the Motors Manuals of the era stressed was not to get the belt too tight.  Too tight would stress the water pump and generator/alternator bearings.

The tapered sides of a “V” belt have tremendous gripping force - which is good - but sometimes they are sticky and don’t wan’t to “let go” of the pulley.  This can make a loud clicking noise.  This seems to be less of an issue on true Studebakers, but is more often found on those with Chevrolet engines, which have thinner pulleys.  I have owned several Avanti IIs and have experienced this noisy belt/pulley problem.

A Chevrolet Dealer Service Manager told me this was a common problem he dealt with daily.  But the fix was simple- put a little dab of silicon grease on the belt on pulley - and the noise would instantly be gone!