I have pit in my stomach!

[Scooby67]

While driving to a car show this weekend, I noticed my volt gauge reading about 12volts while cruising on the highway. Seemed odd to me. (I have 4 cowl mount gauges: volts, temp, oil pressure and fuel pressure) Got off the highway onto slower roads and it was up around 15. Didn't think much of it. Got to the show and hung for a bit. Upon firing up the beast to depart, a guy waves to me to shut it down. Says something fell from the engine bay. It's a broken piece of a lock washer. I pop the hood to look around. Everything appears in order. Leave the show and drive about 4 minutes down the road. As I'm getting onto the highway, I glance at my gauges and see my water temp pinned at 240+! I immediately pull over and shut it down. Pop the hood and it's puking coolant from the overflow. The serpentine belt had come off. Now I know where the washer belongs!! Behind the nut on the alternator pulley!!! Apparently, it was loose, hence the erratic voltage readings earlier. AAA flatbed's me and the beast home. Yesterday, I replaced the nut and washer for the pulley, added coolant and took it for a run. So far, so good. Oil is clean. Only time will tell if I warped the heads. I have a pit in my stomach!! (493 stroker, Victor heads, GM alternator, etc....)

 

[MoparMitch]

Really depends on how long it was hot before you shut it down. But from your description, it sounds like you caught it pretty quick. I think you'll be ok

 

[Richard Cranium]

GM alternator

Obviously, THAT is the root of the problem.

 

[Scooby67]

Obviously, THAT is the root of the problem.

It surely was!! Haha!!

 

[Budnicks]

Glad you caught it soon enough, could have been bad,
but sounds like it'll be OK

have fun & Happy Moparing

 

[Richard Cranium]

have fun & Happy Moparing with your GM alternator.

Fixed.

 

[Cranky]

Probably a Gooberment Motors bolt and lock washer too! I've over heated a few engines in my life and they were ok except for one....

 

[Scooby67]

Fixed.

You're killing me!! Lol!