Power steering pump questions, 1993 Chevrolet P30

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Racer-X-

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Apr 28, 2019
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6
I'm replacing the power steering pump and all the belts on this 1993 Chevrolet P30 chassis (1994 Flair by Fleetwood motorhome). It's got the 7.4L gas V8 (Throttle body injection). 

I've got a service manual for a 1989 P30 chassis, but I can't find a CD of the 1993 version at the moment. I'm wondering if anyone has any of the specifications for some of the things when I put this thing back together.

Information that would be nice to know:
  • Belt tension specification for the V belt on the power steering pump (only)
  • Belt tension specification for the V belt that goes to the power steering pump and the AC compressor for the chassis (driver/passenger area) AC
  • Belt tension specification for the multi-rib ("serpentine") belt for the alternator
  • Is there an additional belt that goes from the front of the power steering pulley stack to the AC compressor. There seem to be pulleys there for an additional belt, but I didn't find a belt on those pulleys. What size belt or what part number fits there?
If anyone has done this replacement before, any tips (I won't ask how you know these things) and traps for this particular job.

So far it doesn't seem too bad. I've had the usual clearance issues that you get working on any RV or van (How do I get to that thing? type stuff).  I've got the old pump mostly off already.  It looks like I need to juggle it around some to take it out the top, because it doesn't seem to want to come out the bottom. I know I'll have to pull the pulley stack off it and transfer it to the new one, and the adjustable bracketry that is bolted to the thing to allow it to pivot for adjustment.
 
Below are some links about belt part numbers, belt tensions, and belt routing. If you know someone with a shop manual there may be specific tensions listed but belt tension is pretty generic between engines. The old rule of thumb is a V belt should only have a 1/2 inch of deflection (up and down) movement on the longest distance between pulleys and serpentine belts 1/4 inch.  Most serpentine belts have a spring loaded tensioner which should be replaced each time the belt is changed. New belts should be retightened after a few miles because they initially stretch.

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-91132-Belt-Tension-Tester/dp/B000CRDLZM

https://www.gates.com/us/en/resources/calculators/belt-tension-calculator

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,1993,p30,7.4l+v8,1059588,belt+drive,belt,8900

https://www.autozone.com/repairguides/GM-Full-Size-Trucks-1988-1998-Repair-Information/ROUTINE-MAINTENANCE-AND-TUNE-UP/Belts/_/P-0996b43f80c90e0e

http://www.barthmobile.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3631087061/m/252103292?r=344103292
 
There's no tensioner on the alternator belt. It's a multi-ribbed belt, but the tension is adjusted old school by rotating the alternator on the mounting bolts. One is in a curved slot, just like on older engines that used traditional V belts.

I own that Gates 91132 "Krikit" belt tension tester, and I have a Gates 91107 "Krikit" belt tension tester as well. The 91107 is for V belts, and the 91132 is for multi-ribbed belts.

I was hoping someone had the actual tension spec (in pounds or KG) from the factory service manual. I'm saying you found that because it looks like the Gates "belt tension calculator" page has that information. Since I bought Gates belts, that should probably be the best source for that information. It looks like about 190 pounds (exactly 187.5 pounds, but 190 is the closest mark on the gauge) for the multi-ribbed belt for the alternator, and 130-140 pounds for the V belts.  They show 130 pounds for 3/8" belts, and these were 13/32" which they don't list in the calculator. Since they show 160 pounds for 1/2" belts, I guess I can interpolate to 137.5 pounds for the 13/32" size.

PS. Thanks for all the links, and big thanks for finding the actual tension specs at the Gates web site.
 
If you have trouble getting the pump out the top, you can remove the crossmember that's right in front of the harmonic balancer by removing 4 bolts on the ends and 2 bolts that hold the brake line to said crossmember.  The pump will come right out the bottom.
 

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