Power Steering Belt Jumping Off
 

Just recently did some performance upgrades to my Baja 250 ES, 454 BBC. One of them being doing away with water circulating pump and going with stainless marine water crossover kit. Ever since I did this, the power steering belt keeps jumping off. I have changed the belts out and it continues to jump off. I am assuming it is because it is such a long belt now (50"). It has to go from the power steering pump, all the way to the crank shaft pulley. Have any of you ever experienced this? I never had a problem with the belt jumping off when I ran the circulating pump. The pulleys are in line with each other. I was wondering if there is any type of tensioner assembly because of the belt being so long? Any suggestions?

did you put a straight edge on pulleys or do they just look lined up

Did not put a straight edge on them. Watched it closely while idling. Seems to be running straight in line. Not enough room to get in there with a straight edge. Very close.

do they stay on at idle and then come off at higher rpms

The belt could be bad. Is it a new one or the same one you took off??

Otherwise it is just out of alignment. Check it with a straight edge, or a lazer, then shim the back of the pump until it lines up.

I would guess it would be one of two things. One, the pulley alignment problem as already mentioned. or two , the width of belt is to wide for the pulleys. This would cause the belt to ride higher in the v groove of the pulley than it should.

I think Moroso makes deeper pulleys.If it is lined up and its cause by being to lng that might help.

You may need an idle pulley in the middle to keep it from shaking off.

I had a belt start doing this a couple of years ago for no apparent reason. Replaced the belt and has been working ever since.

had this happen on a high revving small block alternator belt. Either it would jump off or it would turn inside out. New cog type belt solved problem.