UPDATE:  The squeal is on the power steering side not the generator side.

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P.S.  My power steering belt is a NAPA 25-7375 made by Gates.  The specs state that this belt is .41 wide.  It fits nicely in the crank pulley, water pump pulley and power steering pulley.  My generator belt is a NAPA 25-7425 also made by Gates but is clearly narrower and measures 5/16 wide although the specs claim that it is also .41 wide.    I never noticed it before but this belt fits deeply in the crank pulley and the generator pulley.  I am going to disconnect the generator belt this morning to see whether this narrow belt is the source of my problem.  

The engine in my '54 Mercury is a 1960 292.  I wanted the engine to look like an original 1954 256 so I am using the stock 256 Mercury crank pulley with the bolt on accessory cast iron groove for the power steering pump which is a stock '54 pump.  One belt goes from the crank pulley to the PS pump.  The other belt goes from the crank pulley to the water pump to a stock '54 6 volt generator.  All of the pulleys line up perfectly.  I can see no slippage of the belts when the engine is running.  On first startup I get a loud squeal every time which goes away as soon as  I drive for a few minutes.  However, the squealing soon returns and is then constant for as long as the engine is running (quite embarrassing- great looking car which sounds like it is falling apart!).  This problem was not present when I first restored the car but only started in the last few months.  I have not checked damper.

Is everything spinning freely as far as the pulleys are concerned?  

Are all the pullies from the same  engine?  '54  Merc would have had 1/2" wide belts, '57 and later Fords would have 3/8" wide belts.  Mismatched belts and pullies would likely have slippage and possible squealing.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

How many belts?  Power steering?  Air conditioning?  Makes noise all the time or just when accelerating?  If multiple belts but there’s a single belt to each accessory, then try removing them one at a time to determine which belt is slipping.  If there are belts that are working as a pair, then it’s important that both belts come from the same lot number to ensure that they are the same length.  Bought separately, the ‘paired’ belts will be working against each other with each belt running at a different speed.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Are you sure its the belts? Check the damper to see if it slipped and is rubbing on the front cover. Does the noise increase if you rev the engine. Also did you get the belts by the part number? Belts can be different widths and not fit properly. I know I'm probably preaching to the choir but just my thoughts.



Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I am having a lot of problems with loud squeeling belts on my 292 in my '54 Mercury.  The belts are new as I replaced them when I restored the car.  I tightened the belts (didn't help).  I tried the spray belt lubricant (didn't help).  I roughed up the edges of the pullies where the belts ride (didn't help).  Any suggestions for a solution?