matrix040

I"m going to replace my serpintine belt and keep the old one for a spare.
Can anyone recommend a manufacturer? I was thinking of using Gates,
or maybe goodyear. I just don't want to make a mistake on quality and end up on the side of the road. Also my air pump has been removed and replaced with the pulley replacement, so will the lentgh be the same. 85 L98.
Thanks

davidnclearlaketx

You should be fine with either of those.
I just wouldn't go with any cheap store brand stuff.

86PACER

Goodyear.

samsonb

I would keep a spare belt in the car. That way if it breaks and you're in the middle of nowhere, you can replace the broken belt.

enventr

some gates belts are made in Mexico-I dont know about the serpentine belt

Casethecorvetteman

Ive never had an issue with Genuine GM

MARKSC4

Goodyear

Da Mail Man

...either should do fine.....

89 Bob L

Both brands should be ok. Save the old belt as a spare!!!

CINNEMAN

'96 Collector's

Which ever belt you go with, be prepared for the new belt to be very tight getting on. I just had my belt off. When I went to put the same belt back on, it was a real hassle. I've seen were other people questioned if they had the right belt because it was so hard to put on.

Strick

If you plan on replacing the belt in the field, you might want to bring along a serp belt tool. It fits nicely in the cargo compartment.

85 500 horse

Say it isn't so! I always insisted on using Gates whenever possible. Don't tell me they went to the dark side.

theadmiral94

matrix040,

Have no thoughts on belt brands, but if I recall correctly from other posts, there was a pulley change (perhaps the air pump) which changed the belt from a double-sided type to a single sided type, so be careful when selecting the belt to assure it is correct for the upgrade (imagine the length will be the same as is on the car right now, assuming a belt was put back on after the air pump upgrade).

Also, assuming the alternator is in the same position on your L98 as on our LT1, to make it much easier to put the belt on, put the belt around the alternator BEFORE routing the belt around the belt tensioner (the belt tensioner deflects the belt just enough to make the belt sometimes too tight to put around the alternator).

I suspect much of the problem encounter putting on the belt is placing it around the belt tensioner BEFORE trying to put the belt on the alternator. I initially did the same when replacing the alternator, but luckily realized that by NOT putting the belt around the belt tensioner first made it real easy to put the belt around the alternator.

enventr

unfortunately it is true hopefully the quality will be just as good

GIMMESOME

I've had trouble with every brand belt except Chevy,which is Goodyear.It's not the material that's the problem,it's the proper length.All the parts stores that I went to only showed 1 size,on my car there is 2 possible sizes and I kept getting the longer one until I went to Chevy.But with a pump eliminator,your's may be a whole nother story.

matrix040

Thanks for all the help guy's, I knew ya'll would come thru.
Again thanks.

RAGOVET

I agree. it is probably nice and stretched out and would be easy for a 'field' replacement in an emergency.

vettowner1994

All automotive fan belts are made by about 4 different belt manufacturers. They just label them different depending on what parts store or dealership they are being sold out of. Any of them will be ok. Good idea on keeping the old one. I did as well.