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Finally have the compressor installed on my 69 non air coupe. It went well and appears to line up according to the instructions.
I need to purchase a belt. The instructions recommend 47-48” Dayco Gates or Goodyear V belt. I measured with a piece of string and measured around 46”.
is there a specific width or are they all pretty much standard. Also will I have to remove the fan to get the belt on the water pump? Any recommendations?
Well, there's some info you need to know, first. These V-belts come in many configurations. There are differently angled V's; and there ARE different widths. Some are English and some are metric.
If you look at the (2) belts on your water pump, you will notice that the belt on the front pulley completely fills the V...the outer surface of the belt is approximately at the O.D. of the pulley V. But, the rear pulley has a belt that is down deep in the V. The front belt is of the correct width; the rear is too narrow for the pulley. The belt needs to be at the O.D. of the pulley to assure that the inner surface of the belt does NOT get down near the bottom of the groove. Otherwise, it can slip and squeal and it will NOT be able to handle the power it needs to do its job correctly.
The A/C compressor you purchased should have specifications for the design of its drive pulley. The engine mounted pulley needs to be of that same configuration so the belt you choose will work properly for both pulleys. For sizing, you need to measure distance around the outside surfaces of both of those pulleys, and then subtract about 1/2 inch to 1 inch, depending on how long the belt needs to be. These belts should be somewhat stretched when properly under tension, and after a week or two of use, a new belt needs to be re-tightened as it will permanently stretch a bit during that early usage. I suggest that you position the compressor near the tightest side of its adjustment, as you will need to extend that adjustment soon after installation and you don't want to run out of room.
Good luck.
P.S. The 'width' measurement of the belt needs to be about the same as the width of the pulley groove to which it is mated, at the outer diameter of the pulley.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jun 14, 2020 at 02:23 PM.
Looks great I got mine done and charged up last week and drove it everyday I really like having the ac working did not effect my idle or tempeture even sitting in traffic and 93 degrees outside but I can not wait for rainy season to end so I can pull the tops off
Looks good. That inner belt on the water pump-to-crank is not exactly correct. But, if it is not squealing, leave it alone. That belt is the "safety valve" for keeping water flowing thru the engine, should the other belt[s] fail. It will get you home with the engine still running, in a pinch.
Looks good. That inner belt on the water pump-to-crank is not exactly correct. But, if it is not squealing, leave it alone. That belt is the "safety valve" for keeping water flowing thru the engine, should the other belt fail. It will get you home with the engine still running, in a pinch.
yeah I can tell it’s too narrow but would be pain to change.
I don't know if I can agree on the water pump to crank belt discussion. GM 3952336 is what is called out in the assembly manual and it sits down in the groove. It is not flush with the top of the pulley.
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Vintage air compressor belt
