Serpetine Belt Issues...'86 Vette
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie Md
Serpetine Belt Issues...'86 Vette
I went to Advance Auto, and asked for a Serprtine Belt for my '86 Vette.
The counter guy said..."What one do you want...there are two different lengths available?"
I said..."whaaaaat?"
Sure enough...marked on the wrapper of the belts...one read 87.50, and the other 87.75.
I didn't buy either one.
Thought I would ask the forum memebers, if they ever heard of this before? Are there different belt lengths to your knowledge? If so, why?
The counter guy said..."What one do you want...there are two different lengths available?"
I said..."whaaaaat?"
Sure enough...marked on the wrapper of the belts...one read 87.50, and the other 87.75.
I didn't buy either one.
Thought I would ask the forum memebers, if they ever heard of this before? Are there different belt lengths to your knowledge? If so, why?
Last edited by UDLUV12; Sep 15, 2006 at 12:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 14
From: backwoods upstate ny
advance auto has some serious problems...a couple days ago i needed an intake gasket set for a corsica (don't hit me) 3.1 six banger and the advance parts computer shows a set with 8 holes in it, looks like a sbc v-8 set....moral is go somewhere else from now on
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 6
From: Red Sox Nation! RI
Welcome to the wonderful world of catalog-less auto parts stores. Pardon my French, but they suck! The simpliest explanation for different sizes is usually for cars with or w/o AC.... Extra AC pulley=longer belt needed. I don't have an answer for the vette, unless it involves a larger diameter pulley on the bigger alternators, which would require a slightly longer belt...just a guess.
Every aftermarket belt maker I know of, codes their belts so the part # reflects its dimensions. Using Agent's example, the Dayco 5060885 belt should translate like this. 50 means it's a "K" or serpentine series belt (as opposed to a V velt), 60 means it has 6 grooves, 885 means it's 88.5 inches long. Using that method, you can look at your old belt and determine what size is on there now and take a shot at getting the correct belt. Good luck.
Every aftermarket belt maker I know of, codes their belts so the part # reflects its dimensions. Using Agent's example, the Dayco 5060885 belt should translate like this. 50 means it's a "K" or serpentine series belt (as opposed to a V velt), 60 means it has 6 grooves, 885 means it's 88.5 inches long. Using that method, you can look at your old belt and determine what size is on there now and take a shot at getting the correct belt. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie Md
To All,
Thanks for your replys.
I forgot to mention that I have added an A/C delete pulley...which makes me wonder if this delete pulley is of a different diameter than that of the A/C pulley?
I'll be certainly checking that out.
Thanks for your replys.
I forgot to mention that I have added an A/C delete pulley...which makes me wonder if this delete pulley is of a different diameter than that of the A/C pulley?
I'll be certainly checking that out.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Castleton NY
I bought a belt from Advanced and it squeaked after a few hundred miles. I tried everything - belt dressing, cyclo, sand blasting some surface rust off 1 of the pulleys.....finally went to NAPA and got a good belt - problem solved. Beware the "common man's auto parts stores" You own a Corvette! Shouldn't matter....but maybe it does!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by ODIVETTE
I bought a belt from Advanced and it squeaked after a few hundred miles. I tried everything - belt dressing, cyclo, sand blasting some surface rust off 1 of the pulleys.....finally went to NAPA and got a good belt - problem solved. Beware the "common man's auto parts stores" You own a Corvette! Shouldn't matter....but maybe it does!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
Originally Posted by UDLUV12
To All,
Thanks for your replys.
I forgot to mention that I have added an A/C delete pulley...which makes me wonder if this delete pulley is of a different diameter than that of the A/C pulley?
I'll be certainly checking that out.
Thanks for your replys.
I forgot to mention that I have added an A/C delete pulley...which makes me wonder if this delete pulley is of a different diameter than that of the A/C pulley?
I'll be certainly checking that out.
With your 86 you may want to get rid of the A/C delete pulley altogether. This will make for an even shorter belt, but will really clean up your engine compartment.
Just put the belt through the tensioner BACKWARD. It does not care which way it spins. This will elim the A/C pulley.
As to the belt after you do this. Take your old belt, cut it, wrap it through the the new config. Measure it. Go to Napa buy a new belt.
Matt383
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 5
From: The Pines South Jersey
Originally Posted by Matt383
Just a thought, and to make you even more crazy...
With your 86 you may want to get rid of the A/C delete pulley altogether. This will make for an even shorter belt, but will really clean up your engine compartment.
Just put the belt through the tensioner BACKWARD. It does not care which way it spins. This will elim the A/C pulley.
As to the belt after you do this. Take your old belt, cut it, wrap it through the the new config. Measure it. Go to Napa buy a new belt.
Matt383
With your 86 you may want to get rid of the A/C delete pulley altogether. This will make for an even shorter belt, but will really clean up your engine compartment.
Just put the belt through the tensioner BACKWARD. It does not care which way it spins. This will elim the A/C pulley.
As to the belt after you do this. Take your old belt, cut it, wrap it through the the new config. Measure it. Go to Napa buy a new belt.
Matt383
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by jd_v3tt3
I sent the neighbors wife to Advanced and she came back with an 87 something - it was an inch to short 
Carl "better an inch short - than a mile off!" Johansson
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Ol Dirty Durham NC
Originally Posted by Matt383
Just a thought, and to make you even more crazy...
With your 86 you may want to get rid of the A/C delete pulley altogether. This will make for an even shorter belt, but will really clean up your engine compartment.
Just put the belt through the tensioner BACKWARD. It does not care which way it spins. This will elim the A/C pulley.
As to the belt after you do this. Take your old belt, cut it, wrap it through the the new config. Measure it. Go to Napa buy a new belt.
Matt383
With your 86 you may want to get rid of the A/C delete pulley altogether. This will make for an even shorter belt, but will really clean up your engine compartment.
Just put the belt through the tensioner BACKWARD. It does not care which way it spins. This will elim the A/C pulley.
As to the belt after you do this. Take your old belt, cut it, wrap it through the the new config. Measure it. Go to Napa buy a new belt.
Matt383
Does anyone have a part number for what belt to use? I will remove that tonight!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
Originally Posted by C4CBF
Geez I wish I would have known that! I spent $50 on a delete pulley for nothing! Dammit! I wonder if they will take it back
Does anyone have a part number for what belt to use? I will remove that tonight!
Does anyone have a part number for what belt to use? I will remove that tonight!
Another thing I did, and it is not really needed, is replaced the tensioner pulley with a 6 rib pulley to match the belt.
It will be rib side down now. I just ordered it from some parts place. Maybe Napa has one. Anyway, if you want to do this, get the pulley first as it may be a little bit different size which will impact belt length.
Matt383
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
Originally Posted by C4CBF
Can this work the same for the AIR pump??
I do not have my car in front of me to look at, but I remember you need the delete or the pump.
Matt383
Last edited by Matt383; Sep 19, 2006 at 06:18 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 5
From: The Pines South Jersey
Originally Posted by Matt383
Don't think so. I tried. The belt needs to come down from that Air Pump pulley position.
I do not have my car in front of me to look at, but I remember you need the delete or the pump.
Matt383
I do not have my car in front of me to look at, but I remember you need the delete or the pump.
Matt383
Originally Posted by C4CBF
Can this work the same for the AIR pump??
Can this work the same for the AIR pump??