replace 3 fan belts

[Joseph44]

This is really stupid I think I'm haveing a senior moment I put a new water pump on my 83 buick and now I'm not sure which fan belt goes where i have a big, medium and small belts and my shop manuals do not have this in the book. The motor is 5.0 with a/c, air pump, pwr str, and of course alt. This is really something I can't find anything except for serpetine belt. Does anyone have a print for this. I feel like a total idiot. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Everyone have a great wk/nd and don't spread this around!!!!

[PONTIAC1953]

what i can find is, if your vin has a Y

crank-water pump-a/c compressor

crank-water pump- power steering pump

crank-water pump- alternator

if your vin has a 9

crank-water pump-a/c compressor

crank-water pump-power steering pump

crank-water pump-power steering pump-alternator

i'll keep looking, charles coker, 1953 pontiac tech advisor.

[avgwarhawk]

Worst case scenario, go to the parts store and ask for replacement belts. As the counter man hands you each belt ask what the accessory the belt runs and mark it.

[NTX5467]

You can probably go to the Gates Rubber Company, Goodyear, or Dayco websites and find an online catalog. www.rockauto.com belt listings not only tell what belt does what, BUT also has length and width specs.

In production, GM tended to use 3/8" wide belts. This was the belt whose length was listed in the parts book. Only thing was that replacement belts are usually the .440" width. If you put the same length (as the 3/8" belt), but in the wider .440" width, the belt would always be too short . . . as the wider belt rides higher in the belt "V" than the narrower belt does. After handing belts out and getting them ALL back as "Too short!", I devised a rule of thumb that worked very well.

IF the belt length spec is for a 3/8" belt, but you want to use a wider (allegedly better and heavier belt) .440" belt, add ONE INCH to the 3/8" belt's length and it usually is just about right with the wider belt replacing the 3/8" belt.

But if you use the aftermarket belt vendors' catalogs, those things should be figured in already. The Gates and Goodyear belt online catalogs are very informative, from what I've seen.

Just some thoughts,

NTX5467

[JohnD1956]

If Charles has this right you should be able to eye ball which goes where. But look at the water pump pulley. Is it three grooves or two? If three I would think the AC requires the longest belt, and the power steering takes the shortest.

[Joseph44]

Thanks: you guys are great I did eyeball the belts the longest I have on crank, air pump, and a/c= one on crank and alt= and one on crank and pwr str. all run strt and true. But I must tell you, you guys are great. Thanks for all you help and have a great wk/nd!!!!

[buick5563]

See? Nobody laughed.

[avgwarhawk]

Thanks: you guys are great I did eyeball the belts the longest I have on crank, air pump, and a/c= one on crank and alt= and one on crank and pwr str. all run strt and true. But I must tell you, you guys are great. Thanks for all you help and have a great wk/nd!!!!

Well Joseph, it is really one of those deals where, if it fits, that is where it goes. The belt length will tell the true story. It fits and that is where it goes!

[Joseph44]

I'm going to see that you guys get a little extra from Santa this year. Thanks again for all the help and not laughing. Have a great wk/nd !!!!