dahogan

I have '66 with an L-79 a/c from the factory. I have owned her for 7 years and have not replaced any of the belts or hoses. Is it time?

MikeM

It's not a question of time, it's a question of condition. If your stuff is shot in seven years, pay a little extra on your next replacements and they can last 20 years or more.

GTOguy

What Mike said. And that being said, quality varies. I've seen 10-20 year old belts and hoses that were in better condition than 2 year old off shore junk. The replacement of belts and hoses at 4-5 year intervals regardless of mileage is sales hype. Same as the unnecessary 'fluid flush' game all the repair dealers are recommending these days on newer vehicles. Total rip-off.

ILBMF

Agreed^ My service truck I work out of is 7 years old and has 210,000 miles on the original serpentine belt and all original hoses. Probably going to get a belt soon for the hell of it.

Gary's '66

Does your belt have ANY cracks or fibers protruding? Is it still supple? Do any of the hoses bulge when the motor heats up or, are easily collapsed when cold and you squeeze them by hand?

If not, chances are they're still ok. That said, it never hurts to carry an extra fan belt, a 3/4" necked down to 5/8" nipple along with a few basic tools and assorted clamps.

Gary

Bluestripe67

I'm always under the hood of my car. That gives me the opportunity to have touchy-feelly sessions with hoses and belts. If the hoses are plyable and no hard spots, they get an OK! If the belts, when turned/twisted over do not show cracks on the underside, they get an OK! All rubber products are NAPA/Gates. Currently everything is 7-9 years old. Dennis

62corvette

My 62 still has the factory-installed hoses and belt. I carefully drove it 45 miles in 98-degree weather last summer.

GRipp 73

If you ever want a second set of eyes on those belts and hoses, I'd be happy to offer mine. I really don't mind looking under that hood of your sweet silver '66. And if you want to replace them in your own garage, I am sure there are others like myself willing to help out.

Frankie the Fink

If you're running 1/2 century old rubber on something you actually drive any distance regularly you're just asking for trouble...

dahogan

The belts/hoses look pretty good, but I am no expert. The reason for the concern is that the tires looked good too when I bought her, but they were 14 years old going back to when she was restored. They were replaced. I am guessing that the belts/hoses may now be 22 years old. I should have added that info in the original post. Thanks to all who responded.

rfn026

Using your thumb and finger, squeeze the hose near the connectors, ECD (ELECTROCHEMICAL DEGRADATION) initially attacks within two inches of the ends of the hose. If the ends feel more soft and mushy that the middle or if you feel gaps or channels inside the hose, it is most likely under attack by ECD.

Another technique is to use your infrared scan tool and measure the upper and lower radiator hose temperatures. They should be fairly similar.

Richard Newton
Cooling Systems 101

66BlkBB

Not saying it is smart on my part but the belts and hoses on my car are over 35 years old. I do agree with Frankie that I could be asking for trouble. Usually my 66 doesn't go that many miles away from home so I know I can get it back to the house without any problems. But I should take the time and look to replace them in the near future.

65hihp

My classic cars all run tires that far exceed tire manufacturer "recommended" life span. I collect other people's "out of an abundance of caution" take-off tires. Without a doubt my hoses and belts are all ancient but still perform as designed. The upper hose on my 64 is definitely 40 yrs old and may be factory original. I am constantly looking at my rubber parts and see no signs of deterioration. And I have 200 mile AAA towing. Haven't needed to use it yet. My advice: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

GTOguy

The heater hoses on my 34 year old, 275,000 mile daily-driven (literally) Toyota pickup are original. I had to replace the original radiator hoses in 1999. The 1962 car running original hoses on long trips....that IS optimistic with a pressurized cooling system. I've run ancient fabric belted hoses on some flatheads I've had, but the cooling system wasn't pressurized on those old tanks. BIG difference.

Bluestripe67

WOW! It surprises me that some of you guys stretch your luck like that with old rubber stuff. Dennis

Critter1

Well, when I bought my 66, I rebuilt the engine and replaced the radiator hoses, heater hoses and belts with GM hoses. I've put about 50,000 miles on the car since then. That was 1983 and the hoses still look ok.

MikeM

I took the original hoses and belt off my '65 in 2001 and saved them as they still felt and looked okay. Maybe one of these blue ribbon snatchers will want to borrow them some day. Saved the hose clamps too.