AACA Judging & Engine drive Belts

[FireballV8]

Hello

I looked through the judging manual, but did not see any specific info on the engine belts. Does anyone have any info on the belts?

Thank You

Steve

[Phillip Cole]

17. Batteries, headlights, belts, tires, hoses and clamps may be of modern manufacture, but must be visually of the era of the vehicle and of the type specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Specific brand is not important. Guidelines,  2-17

When you say "specific" are you looking for a list?  That would come from factory documentation. 

So which vehicle...?

[billorn]

I always use a little paint thinner to remove the paint and markings on hoses and belts. Makes a real difference not seeing all those modern names and logos.

[Avanti Bill]

I know on belts it doesn't matter what brand but they all have to be the same brand.  Found that out the hard way.

[FireballV8]

Thank you for the replies. My main concern is regarding the serrated belt versus a standard belt. In the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) judging the serrated belt is allowed and no deductions are taken as they were available when the cars were new, however the modern marking may be a deduction. As Bill mentioned the markings can be removed. 

 

This would be on a 1955 Buick. 

 

Thank you for the help.

 

Steve

[Frantz]

Unless you had documentation for a cogged belt as the type used it would get a deduction under the "type specified" clause I'd think. I'll be interested to see what those with more experience say.

I don't see any reference to belts at all on the CCCA rules or handbook though. I don't have any experience with them so I may be looking in the wrong area.

When did they come out? I know they had toothed timing belts back in the day but I don't know anything about early toothed/cogged v belts and the internet is letting me down in searches.

[MCHinson]

If the original equipment belt was not a serrated belt, the use of a serrated belt should result in a deduction as an inauthentic part in AACA Judging.

[FireballV8]

Thank you for the replies. Not sure what would have been correct on the 55 Buick, I looked through literature and nothing is mentioned. 

 

Anyone know where to look to see when serrated belts were introduced? Also I have looked high and low and cannot find non serrated belts for the 55. Any ideas?

 

Thank You

 

[95Cardinal]

CARS offers smooth belts:

http://www.oldbuickparts.com/index.php?cPath=35_62_63

 

Note from their catalog:

Buick Fan Belts, Power Steering, AC Belts (1.416) Please note that 1953-1960 belts are also offered as 100% authentically correct. They feature a flat un-cogged surface for a smooth and quiet ride, comes with the original GM numbers, stamped right into the belt.

 

CARS (908) 369-3666

[Frantz]

You can usually find belts at tractor supply. Online as well. It helps to know the dimensions rather than the application.

I don't know if GM ever used serrated belts. I know we had a brand new 1988 Celebrity when I was a kid and that had normal V belts to the best of my memory. I didn't see the serrated style myself until well into the serpentine age and then they were all replacements rather than OEM. I found a patent going back to 1955 application, but that was for a toothed cog. Most of the v-belt patents with serration seem to be late 80s into the 1990s.

[FireballV8]

22 hours ago, 95Cardinal said:

CARS offers smooth belts:

http://www.oldbuickparts.com/index.php?cPath=35_62_63

 

Note from their catalog:

Buick Fan Belts, Power Steering, AC Belts (1.416) Please note that 1953-1960 belts are also offered as 100% authentically correct. They feature a flat un-cogged surface for a smooth and quiet ride, comes with the original GM numbers, stamped right into the belt.

 

CARS (908) 369-3666

Hi Joe

I called them, it seems that they only have the fan belt. The two belts on the car have different lengths. No point to mismatch the belts. 

Thank You

Steve

[FireballV8]

5 hours ago, Frantz said:

You can usually find belts at tractor supply. Online as well. It helps to know the dimensions rather than the application.

I don't know if GM ever used serrated belts. I know we had a brand new 1988 Celebrity when I was a kid and that had normal V belts to the best of my memory. I didn't see the serrated style myself until well into the serpentine age and then they were all replacements rather than OEM. I found a patent going back to 1955 application, but that was for a toothed cog. Most of the v-belt patents with serration seem to be late 80s into the 1990s.

Thanks Doug

I'll look at Tractor supply.

Much appreciated.

Steve

[Marty Roth]

To the best of my recollection, Buick did not supply new 1955 models with a cog or serrated belt. those were not factory original, nor were they Buick optional equipment. Therefore those belts would be subject to point deduction, in my opinion.

[61polara]

I believe cogged belts came into common use in the late 1970's in the US.  Prior to that I remember having to get "matched sets" for AC systems that ran dual belts on the compressor.  With cogged belts, that is not necessary.  If you did not buy "matched sets" for the dual AC belts, you could never get both belts to tighten to the same tension.