Could fan belts be this hard?

[d9103365]

I've been trying to order a set of fan belts for my 318 on my 1975 fury (2 door, with AC). I've gone to three parts stores and they are confused an unable to verify which ones I need. There are three belts needed...two that go around the AC and alternator and one that goes down below around the power steering unit. The belts I have are worn out and loose and I feel like they may be the wrong size so I don't want to just "go by what I have". So does anyone have any part numbers out there? I just need a standard set of 3 belts for a 318....I'm sure most of you are familiar with this engine. The parts stores asked me if I have an air pump or 100A alternator I said no because I don't believe I have either. They said that there were still mulitple lengths of belts for my application. Three parts stores were stumped. can anyone help? I thought this would be simple!. I don't want to have to keep going back and trying new belts, etc.

 

[Funship32]

If you still have the belts go to an independant shop...although they are hard to find...and they should be able to meaure them up for you and give you something close if not spot on.

 

[apostle228]

Any V-belt of the right length should be fine, and that said...

If you feel the ones you have are a little loose, and theres no more room left to tighten them up, just look at the numbers on them, look up that part number or have the auto parts store do it, and get a belt thats 1" shorter than those! (the part number, when looked up, will show how long the belt is)

Option two is to remove the belts, cut them, measure them, subtract an inch and buy belts that length...

Thats the way i've always done it.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I looked these up for you on RockAuto.com
RockAuto.com: Shipped right to your door.

1. Dayco P/N 15490 V-belt Fan W/Power Steering (No AIR Pump) $5.99
2. Dayco P/N 15445 V-belt AC/Alternator $7.08

 

[Ron Ward]

I looked these up for you on RockAuto.com
RockAuto.com: Shipped right to your door.

1. Dayco P/N 15490 V-belt Fan W/Power Steering (No AIR Pump) $5.99
2. Dayco P/N 15445 V-belt AC/Alternator $7.08

Yep....


and if you enter this code where they ask you "how did you hear about us?" you will receive a 5% discount on the purchase.

2279544520898464

 

[WP29440SE]

Option two is to remove the belts, cut them, measure them, subtract an inch and buy belts that length...

Thats the way i've always done it.

why would you cut them to measure? its simple enough to mark a spot on the belt and measure without chopping on them. the last time I subtracted an inch , the belt I got was too short, personally , I would not recommend it. get your new belts the same size as the ones you pulled off, unless it is some custom deal.

there are part numbers on the belts.

 

[Cranky]

I have a very old school belt measuring tool It's so old that it's made from wood lol. Now if I could only find the dang thing....

Edit: Found it. It's an old gates tool. On one end there's a 4 1/2" half round fixed head that you put the belt on and then there's another 4 1/2" slide with a thickness gauge and you stretch out the belt and the gauge points at how long the belt is. Most parts houses had one of these many years ago. Think I'll take it with me one day and show it to one of them lol

 

[nm9stheham]

The OP says that the present belts are worn loose and may be too long. Be aware that belts do stretch over time to a small degree and so thatm plus wear, may the reason for them seeming too long. Also, what makes yo uthnk they are too long? Are the adjustments all the way out at their limits, or just near to the limits? Again, belt wear can do this. If you want shorter, just buy 1" shorter as previously suggested.

 

[Funship32]

I have a very old school belt measuring tool It's so old that it's made from wood lol. Now if I could only find the dang thing....

Edit: Found it. It's an old gates tool. On one end there's a 4 1/2" half round fixed head that you put the belt on and then there's another 4 1/2" slide with a thickness gauge and you stretch out the belt and the gauge points at how long the belt is. Most parts houses had one of these many years ago. Think I'll take it with me one day and show it to one of them lol

That is exactly the tool I had in mind when I made my post. I know there have been more than a few times in the past where I had to us a little 'kentucky windage' on my fan belts. I'd take the belt I had in and say ' need one like this but X inches shorter.' They would measure it using that handy tool and then get a belt x inches shorter. Nice to see someone out there still has and uses such a beast.