73, Dark Blue 454

BB's in 73 and I'm sure other years that had A/C received an idler pulley that was used to tighten the belt between the water pump pulley and the crank pulley which rides the "1st track"...(closest to the engine and having nothing to do with the A/C belt which rides the "3rd track").

Page 254 of the AIM shows that non-A/C cars with LS-4's weren't to receive this idler pulley, yet it shows as having the belt that rides around the wtr pump pulley and crank pulley. How would that belt be tightened without an idler pulley and how would it be replaced (remove the wtr pump pulley?)?

Confused,
Wes

TimAT

If I recall, the hp versions used a "captured belt". The only thing it did was run the water pump. No adjustment, and you pull the fan to remove/replacethe belt. If you get too tight a belt, it won't be too long until water pump replacement time.

I think they used this belt arrangement on the Camaros too. I know it's on my '69

73, Dark Blue 454

"Captured Belt"...that's certainly what it looks like in the AIM. So replacing it would mean removing every other belt plus the water pump pulley?

And there's no compensating or adjusting for the belt that stretches after some use?

TimAT

You got it! No adjustment, which is why it's so improtant to get the correct size so you don't kill the water pump bearings. (Don't ask how I know that one!) I'd give you the number of my belt but I can't get to it right now. I'll be back home after the 8th and I can get it then if you still need it. Someone else on the forum may have it handier that I. And YES- you do get to pull all the belts AND the fan/water pump pulley to change the belt. I ran for a long time without it..

S489

i found that it is a LOT easier to install that belt by removing 2 of 3 bolts on the crank pulley; use the 3rd for a pivot.

73, Dark Blue 454

Thanks guys! Thanks for the installation tip,..and TimAT, if you could get me a part number of the belt it would be great.

Thanks again,
Wes

TimAT

As soon as I get home!!

bashcraft

TimAT

First, I need to apologize-- I didn't get home when I planned. But on the flip side, I did get to look. And there's not any numbers on my belts- none of them.

Try an old fashioned cloth measuring tape. Wrap it around the w/p and crank to get a starting point. Then try another belt in the pulley for width, then a trip to the parts store.

Sorry to keep you waiting for nothing..

Tim

Patrick73

For GM part numbers for ALL 1973 corvette fan belts go to
www.1973-corvette.com Tom73 has all the belts for all the 73 engines listed under the technical section. He even has the width and length of all the belts listed. You can get any 73 corvette GM fan belt number from there. It is a great resource!

Note: You may need to do a google search for Tom's www.page: The '73 Spot I just recalled that awhile back someone "took" his www.page name. If you can not find it, contact me. I have the fan belt page printed out somewhere with all the part numbers.