[V8] last legs?

[Seamus O'Carey]

I had a problem with my engine tonight and though it's been too dark to
actually take a look at it so far I thought I'd describe it here and get
some input.

Actually I believe the problem has existed for a while now.  There has been
a sound coming from the engine bay that I thought sounded like failing
bearings.  Over the last couple of weeks the sound has been especially bad
immediately after starting the car, but then smoothed out after about 15-20
seconds.

Then last night I started the car, heard squealing belts and the engine
stalled.  I tried again and the belts squealed and the engine stalled.  The
third time the engine started just fine and I drove home with no problems.

So, because I really hate driving my honda, I took the V8 out again tonight
in spite of the trouble last night.  It started fine, I went to the store,
and when I came out and started the car the belt was squealing VERY loud and
there was smoke coming from the hood and the distinct smell of burning
rubber.

Now I've been worried up until this time that the sound of the bearings has
been a failing water pump, and when I heard the squealing I was afraid I was
about to witness the death of my engine.  However, what happened was the
squealing stopped after a minute and the engine kept running, but I no
longer had power steering, and the BRAKE and ALT lights came on.  Clearly I
had just smoked my serpentine belt into oblivion.

The question is: what failed and caused the belt meltdown?  I know my
hyrdraulic pump was working, because I had power steering and brakes, and I
know the alternator was working, because the battery wasn't going dead and
the lights didn't get brighter when I revved the engine.

So the culprit must be either an idler or the AC pump, right?

Also, I noticed that the engine sounded much different after I lost the
belt.  The idle may have even become smoother, but it revs much more slowly
(the idle is particularly slow coming back down).  Is the engine tuned in a
way that it would run that much differently if it suddenly lost the
resistance of the accesories?

Anyway, the car is definitely grounded now.  I suppose this is a good time
to go ahead and fix my silver V8 (I just need a brake servo!).

Thanks,

Seamus