V-belts?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
V-belts?
I had to get a 53.5 inch Crank/water pump/alternator V-belt today and it was almost discouraging with the lack of parts for our old vettes at chain parts stores. I finally found a high performance correct V width & angle online through NAPA. the belt is designed to get tighter as it heats up.
I caused the problem. Old belt and the first sunny 70ish degree days. Vette has been down for the winter. So I took it off the stands and drove over and filled it with Super Unleaded and took and afternoon test drive on the lonely highways here in Nevada. I ran it up to the rev limiter through the first 4 gears quite a few times and cruised at high speed in OD with my 4.11 rear. It just purred along. I got home and looking under the hood and what ever reason the belt I had didn't spit off, it was flipped and riding around on the thick side. I have deep grove March aluminum smaller diameter crank pulley. kinda stock water pump diameter and larger alternator.
I caused the problem. Old belt and the first sunny 70ish degree days. Vette has been down for the winter. So I took it off the stands and drove over and filled it with Super Unleaded and took and afternoon test drive on the lonely highways here in Nevada. I ran it up to the rev limiter through the first 4 gears quite a few times and cruised at high speed in OD with my 4.11 rear. It just purred along. I got home and looking under the hood and what ever reason the belt I had didn't spit off, it was flipped and riding around on the thick side. I have deep grove March aluminum smaller diameter crank pulley. kinda stock water pump diameter and larger alternator.
Last edited by gkull; Mar 10, 2020 at 06:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Real farm implement dealers (e.g. AGCO, M-F, New Holland, Deere, Case etc) typically have a broad selection of V belts (bearings as well). AG equipment typically has much longer service life than passenger cars.
Serpentine supplanted cars' V belts Looong ago. Parts houses' computers KNOW which parts are popular & relevant; ranks them and reorders accordingly. SOP for years.
Serpentine supplanted cars' V belts Looong ago. Parts houses' computers KNOW which parts are popular & relevant; ranks them and reorders accordingly. SOP for years.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 226
From: PA
Not sure what engine you're dealing with, year, etc. In my case, an '80 L82 there was all kinds of conflicting information for what were the correct belt sizes.Part of the issue was that even though all three engine options that year use the same block, the belts for the accessories for some reason are different. Often the differences were 1/2 inch length. I went onto Rock Auto and found they had several by decent makers which differed maybe 1 inch in length. Many were on clearance and selling for $2 or $3. So, I just bought an assortment of them for three belts I needed and found the ones that fit the best.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I did have a memory refresher on what the numbers mean. Example for a 79 L-82 corvette from Napa:
The last three digits of the 257530 Stands for 53.0 inches Because of my altered pulleys I bought three sizes in one trip the 53 inch and couldn't even get the belt on with my bigger alternator against my taller valve covers. The 257540 being 54 inches would work if you wanted the alternator out at the end of the upper arced tension bracket. The 257535 fit perfect at 53.5 inches and I just return the other two
NBH 257530
Product Line :
NAPA Belts & Hoses
The last three digits of the 257530 Stands for 53.0 inches Because of my altered pulleys I bought three sizes in one trip the 53 inch and couldn't even get the belt on with my bigger alternator against my taller valve covers. The 257540 being 54 inches would work if you wanted the alternator out at the end of the upper arced tension bracket. The 257535 fit perfect at 53.5 inches and I just return the other two
Belt - Fan & Alt
Part # :NBH 257530
Product Line :
NAPA Belts & Hoses
Last edited by gkull; Mar 11, 2020 at 10:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I was wrong on the numbers corresponding to exact outer circumference. but for this brand they are close. This belt of mine on the package is 54 and 3/8ths. but the important thing is the top width which is 12.5/13 mm so it fits our old pulleys very nicely.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
The Napa 257535 fit, but it was on 10 mm wide and rode further down inside the pulley's. It would be harder to jump at 7500 rpm, but I think that the larger 13mm show above is much stronger. Because it rides out in the pulley it had to be longer.
Stock 79 l-82 lists the 257530 which is about a 1/2 inch shorter
Stock 79 l-82 lists the 257530 which is about a 1/2 inch shorter
Last edited by gkull; Mar 11, 2020 at 03:40 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 226
From: PA
Just for reference, on my 80 L82, I used a Continental Elite 17551 for the AC and 15542 for the Alt.
Here are the specs for the 17551
Belt Top Width (in) 0.531 Belt Top Width (mm) 13.487 Belt Effective Length (IN) 55.100 Belt Effective Length (MM) 1399.540
and for the 15542
Belt Top Width (in) 0.469 Belt Top Width (mm) 11.913 Belt Effective Length (IN) 54.200 Belt Effective Length (MM) 1376.680
Both at Rock Auto - sit down for the pricing: $1.48 and $2.13. They are listed as wholesaler closeout, but that's about the same price as I bought them for a year ago.
Here are the specs for the 17551
Belt Top Width (in) 0.531 Belt Top Width (mm) 13.487 Belt Effective Length (IN) 55.100 Belt Effective Length (MM) 1399.540
and for the 15542
Belt Top Width (in) 0.469 Belt Top Width (mm) 11.913 Belt Effective Length (IN) 54.200 Belt Effective Length (MM) 1376.680
Both at Rock Auto - sit down for the pricing: $1.48 and $2.13. They are listed as wholesaler closeout, but that's about the same price as I bought them for a year ago.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 767
Likes: 74
From: Blaine MN
George, you were correct on the 530 being 53.0, that number is considered the effective length and was/is an industry standard. The belt profile (15, 17 and 22 common Auto Belts) indicated the top width in x/32's but various Mfg's. used there own prefixes in many cases. I like the dayco top cog belts.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 226
From: PA
George, you were correct on the 530 being 53.0, that number is considered the effective length and was/is an industry standard. The belt profile (15, 17 and 22 common Auto Belts) indicated the top width in x/32's but various Mfg's. used there own prefixes in many cases. I like the dayco top cog belts.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Never liked how the alt stuck way the heck out there, always had some issue
3rd gen camaros have a nice setup, or swap to a long water pump where you can use short belts and tuck the alt closer in
3rd gen camaros have a nice setup, or swap to a long water pump where you can use short belts and tuck the alt closer in
