So what size were the two incorrect belts!?
Alternator Belt
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
I'll take a look tonight and let you know.
Age.. It was just worn. I had not changed them since I bought the car last year.. It was pretty evident they were just older than dirt!
Anyway, I was able to get the 3rd belt I tried on.. It was a bitch and a half, and I think it could stand to be a bit longer. But it worked, the car is back on the road until the next thing breaks!
Anyway, I was able to get the 3rd belt I tried on.. It was a bitch and a half, and I think it could stand to be a bit longer. But it worked, the car is back on the road until the next thing breaks!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Ok guys, here are the details. Thanks to all that helped btw.
I have a 1979 Chevy Corvette Sport Coupe L48 350.
I have the AC with NO air pump. Engine code is 8.
There are three belts.
1. AC/FAN belt
2. Power Steering Belt
3. Alternator Belt
The belts are all made by GATES
They are:
AC/FAN Belt: GATES 9560
P/S Belt: GATES 7360
Alternator Belt: GATES 7530
The AC/FAN belt is about $20.59
The P/S belt is about $12.39
The Alternator belt is about $12.39
So figure about 50 bucks for the belts.
The AC/FAN belt and P/S belt fit perfectly. The Alternator belt IMO, could stand to be about 2" more in diameter. It was a biatch to get that 7530 on. I'm not sure what the code for the next size up is, but I would suggest getting it if you do not like to swear and drink beer.
Drove it today and it runs great. I swear it runs better, no squeak or rattle like I had before and the P/S seems to work better.
Now onto the next thing to fix!
I have a 1979 Chevy Corvette Sport Coupe L48 350.
I have the AC with NO air pump. Engine code is 8.
There are three belts.
1. AC/FAN belt
2. Power Steering Belt
3. Alternator Belt
The belts are all made by GATES
They are:
AC/FAN Belt: GATES 9560
P/S Belt: GATES 7360
Alternator Belt: GATES 7530
The AC/FAN belt is about $20.59
The P/S belt is about $12.39
The Alternator belt is about $12.39
So figure about 50 bucks for the belts.
The AC/FAN belt and P/S belt fit perfectly. The Alternator belt IMO, could stand to be about 2" more in diameter. It was a biatch to get that 7530 on. I'm not sure what the code for the next size up is, but I would suggest getting it if you do not like to swear and drink beer.
Drove it today and it runs great. I swear it runs better, no squeak or rattle like I had before and the P/S seems to work better.
Now onto the next thing to fix!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
So 54" is probably DEAD ON!!!!
I guess I will have to find out what GATES belt is 54" to know the proper number.
Thanks man!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
For 78 L82, 54". Again, the L48 is listed as different.
The Gates sizing is similar to Dayco. 7530.....7 is 7/16" width. 53, length. 0 is fractional, a 5 would be 1/2" additional length.
Don't go crazy with adding inches to belts to get em to fit. If, for instance, if a 54" belt is perfect, a 1/2" shorter belt will put the alternator against the valve cover. A 1/2" longer will put the alternator to the end of the adjustment. This assuming the belt went on without removing the alternator or pulley in the first place and forcing it on.
I ordered belts from one of the vendors a while back. 78 called for the 53". Nope, that one fit the 79. The 52" belt they sent for my 79 I exchanged for a 54" to go on the 78. Because I was looking for the original numbers crap I had to deal with the confusion!
Mia, sounds like a 53 1/2" would go on without prying but still be tight to the alternator. So the 54" probably would be the best.
Last edited by KapsSA; May 8, 2008 at 11:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Just an FYI, I just checked the belt that blew that I recovered the other day from the street and it is a GATES 7530, so that is the belt that was on there... I still think it should be a size bigger though!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,223
Likes: 666
From: Northeast
Funny. I have a 7530 on my 78 L82 and I think it is too long. Needs to be about 1/2 inch shorter (7525). I'm at the end of the adjustment. Noway could I use a 54. I would have to mount the alt. on the inner fender.
Do you have different pulleys on the block and alternator? I have March underpulleys thus I have to go to what fits best and not worry about numbers.
Do you have different pulleys on the block and alternator? I have March underpulleys thus I have to go to what fits best and not worry about numbers.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Funny. I have a 7530 on my 78 L82 and I think it is too long. Needs to be about 1/2 inch shorter (7525). I'm at the end of the adjustment. Noway could I use a 54. I would have to mount the alt. on the inner fender.
Do you have different pulleys on the block and alternator? I have March underpulleys thus I have to go to what fits best and not worry about numbers.
Do you have different pulleys on the block and alternator? I have March underpulleys thus I have to go to what fits best and not worry about numbers.
Either way, I cannot possibly see how the 7530 could have been factory.
Unless the use of the after market Valve covers are the problem.. They could be a bit larger, but somehow I doubt it. The belts just way too short or the alternator is wrong.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg MO
I carry one of those emergency fan belts with me. It is adjustable and just like the mini spares, are good in emergencies. I haven't had to use it yet, but my brother did, and he said it was a life saver. FYI
Tommy
Tommy
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
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From: Lake Geneva WI
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
For me, I was able to get the shorter one on using my favorite pry tool, a screw driver. I kind of jacked it on and used the screwdriver on the fins of the alternator to turn the pulley and force it on. I was able to pull the alternator back enough to tension it, but there is only about a 1/8" clearance between the alternator and the valve cover making it kinda close for me if it loosens up and starts rattling on the valve cover.
