Serp. belt

Alright I am having a heck of a time finding the the belt I need for my engine. It's a 4 ridge belt and needs to be 77-78" long. Now my problem is I cant find one that length or within a 1/2" of that. The guy at the FLAPS cross referenced the numbers with those lengths inserted in the part # and nothing came up. Now this might be a dumb question and I'm prepared to be flamed but they make the correct length belt in a 5 ridge version. Would it be possible to just cut that extra ridge off so it would fit. Or will that decrease the strength of the belt greatly. I mean if it will work alright I can always buy a second one and carry it with me just incase :? Or does anyone have a source that can locate me a belt??

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I would think that if you used a razor blade and was really careful, you could cut off the extra ridge. You would just want to be sure you didn't create any *points* in the cut, so that it creates a stress point (sorta like making a radius in steel, rather than a corner - it's much more likey to tear if you make a 90* corner).

Someone tell us we're both crazy... R)

 

I have found it really hard to cut those belts. (Was going to use one between the grill and hood.)Are you sure you have the belt routing right? I did one on my zx2 and found I could put it on two different ways. If i didn't make a scetch of how it went around the pulleys. I would have put it on wrong and I wouldn't have known until I seen smoke coming from the belt.

 

I'm 99% sure I have the correct belt routing, I really dont see any other way for it to go :?

 

They don't have the correct belt for whatever the motor came out of?

 

can you get 5 ridge pulleys?

 

Yeah, I thought about doing that but the pulley on the power steering pump "appears" to be pressed on and looks like it would be a major PIA to remove.

 

Jason, if this is a Saginaw style pump, Autozone rents a puller that will remove the pulley easily. Impact wrench helps as well with the puller.

 

This is what I was thinking, but I didn't want to re-state the obvious.

The 4.3 is such a common engine - seems like any FLAPS would have the right belt?

 

Its kinda wierd for some reason, I have a engine that orginally had A/C on it but the tensoiner pulley, water pump, and pwr. steering pulleys are all 4 ridge. While the Alt. and crank are 5 ridge. So I figured I would go get a belt for a non A/C engine, and I got it home and it was 87 inches long. I tried ever possible way I could think of but couldnt find a way to use that belt. The belt i got with the engine was on there with the A/C I think :? so I trimmed it to length and went to the FLAPS with that belt and we cant find anything that comes close to matching............as I'm typing this I think I may have just thought of a way to get the longer belt to work......will report back this evening when i get home

 

I take it the lack of A/C (and power steering?) is making the search difficult. You mentioned the guy punched in the number and nothing came up. Try another parts franchise because other distributors may be able to get it.

Try calling these guys here in Michigan -- they are a leading manufacturer of specialty racing pulleys and maybe they can suggest a source for unique belt lengths. I'm not sure if they can help but it is a related item and worth a try.
http://www.marchperf.com/index.html
(734) 729-9070

 

Jon, I tried a couple of parts stores with no luck. I dont have A/C but do have pwr. steering. I'll give those guys a call if I cant figure it out this evening.

 

Ok here is the NAPA part # for a belt which is 76 7/8 25040762

Hope this helps your local store may have to order it.

Brian

 

Thanks for the # Brian

I'll give them a call and see if they ahve it in stock

 

Have you tried a GM dealer?

 

nope, that didnt even cross my mind......I guess I always assume it will be a ton $$$ from the dealer so I dont even think of them.