V-belt question

[Art Vandelay]

I'm probably going to convert to a manual steering rack this spring and will be removing the PS pump, with the alternator staying in more-or-less the factory location. The factory belt pair moves around 4 pulleys and turns at roughly 90-degree angles. With the power steering pulley gone, it will now be a triangle pattern with a tight radius around the alternator. My question is: will this cause too much strain on the alternator and/or the belt itself? I was hoping not to have to mess with a serpentine setup or idler pulley.

[MikeFleming]

The load will be less aas the PS pump takes the most power.

The smallest radius of the belt travel will not change - while the length of travel at that smaller radius increases. The net result is the belt alternator will never slip on the alt pulley.

I wouldn;t worry abotu it at all. More concerned about such a front-heavy car with manual steering.

[Art Vandelay]

Thanks. My long term plan is speed sensitive electric power assist, so this is just phase 1. If there is any interest, I'll do a write-up when I get closer to the end goal.

[MikeFleming]

My long term plan is speed sensitive electric power assist, so this is just phase 1. If there is any interest, I'll do a write-up when I get closer to the end goal. Would love to hear more!!

[Laredo]

...so this is just phase 1...
I suspect "phase 1" will not be much fun. I have seen/heard a lot of negative feedback from those who have gone manual, wishing they had never done it.
However, the electric assist sounds really cool. I love to see integration of new/old in cars. Please keep us in the loop!

[Meotchh]

Here's a detailed write up on adding EPAS in a 66 mustang using jy parts & a few off the shelf parts.
http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/787114-best-200-mod-ever-eps-7.html#/topics/787114?page=11

[Raven855]

There is also info for the EPAS conversion over on TF. I’ve looked at doing the conversion for awhile now.

[Art Vandelay]

Does anyone have a part number for a 2.3L alternator bracket with no power steering? The parts stores actually have a belt listing for an SVO without power steering, and I'm assuming it's a reference to these earlier 2.3L engines. I know some people use Pinto brackets, but I'm not sure if it's the same on a Mustang. I'd prefer to buy belts by application rather than by length. The belt they recommend for the non-existent SVO w/o power steering is about 2-3" too short for the stock SVO bracket.

[Meotchh]

You may not want to hear this, but this is what Chip Givens did for that same need. He took a belt & cut it to size to fit the alt. He took that belt to the store & found one that length that worked. That was for his Pinto.

[Art Vandelay]

I may end up doing just that. Dayco makes a good quality, widely available, USA-made belt 15### where ### is the effective length in half-inch increments. 46.0" might do the trick. If Mustang brackets are priced like Pinto brackets ($100+ on eBay), it may not be worth the trouble to switch. I also need to keep in mind if I switch from my small case 3g alt to a large case, it could interfere with any bracket changes.

[Art Vandelay]

Final follow-up to the belt issue. I ended up using a pair of 45.5" belts with everything else relating to pulleys and brackets remaining stock. The Dayco belts were not identical lengths, but after putting them under tension for a few days, I got them reasonably close. If I were doing this again I would definitely go with 46" belts and probably a different brand.

[Laredo]

Final follow-up to the belt issue. I ended up using a pair of 45.5" belts with everything else relating to pulleys and brackets remaining stock. The Dayco belts were not identical lengths, but after putting them under tension for a few days, I got them reasonably close. If I were doing this again I would definitely go with 46" belts and probably a different brand.

What did you end up using for your alternator bracket...?