I took some pics of my new 8 rib pulley setup. I now have an Innovators West SFI Balancer-adapter, Metco 6# ring, Metco adjustable lower idler setup, Metco tensioner cage (from 10-rib kit), 4" pulley who knows where Lou got for a rebuilt alternator I got cheap from Steve at Tousley, Gaterback 4080825 belt, MotorBlows idlers with upgraded Timkin single sealed bearings and A/C delete for good measure. That spins a OEM type 2.80 upper that I probably will switch to a 2.93 gripper style, if slip is a problem at 16 lbs.

Lou from LMM's best guess belt seems to be pretty damn close and should even take the 2.9 upper with room. Thinking about going to the Reichard double bearing idlers while I'm in there for good measure, anything that might keep that 7 foot belt from flying off and wrecking $h!t at the track.

Things eyed up good and I took a little movie of it right after I started it up and idled it with only headers.
>> newpulleySetup short movie <<

At first glance it looked good but when I shut it off, the belt was just up a hair on the front lip of the crank pulley, but it seems like it was like that in the movie. I hadn't tightened up the adjustable idler, so the closest one was flopping around and I might not have even put it on straight in a hurry to hear it run. The belt seems too loose still but there is more adjustment so I'm going to have to play around with it some more and make sure the belt tracks at idle before I start wailing it. The changes opened up the front of the block so things are easily seen from below now but the reach up to stubby wrench that Metco adjuster is a bit of a t!t twister, but no complaints. I didn't really have a dampener "press" tool, so a bolt with various washers had to fill in, a standard puller worked fine, once I dug out that washer gooped in there behind the balancer bolt, heh I only wasted 30 min figuring that out.

 

You should have seen it before I ditched the A/C! dealing with the passenger side header was a real trick and I only swapped out the drivers motor mount last year, was a lot easier doing the other one this year with no A/C.

getting the stock pulley cage out of the way also opened up the lower front of the motor. Christ I thought there was a lot of room for V8 wedged in there by lowering the car body onto the motor-front suspension. All what you are used to I guess, some the import guys would love to have all that room!

 

Put a tubular K-member in the car and you won't ever have a problem again with room.

 

that is coming this winter maybe, I thought the first time i rebuild the lump, the K-member goes too. If the motor is hanging in there, might put it off a year, just a matter of when.