Topic: belts
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Former Member
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sand springs, OK - USA
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 97
Vette(s): 1978 white w/blue interior it has 80-82 front & rear clips on it
i need you guys expert opinion. i flung the power steering belt off of my 78 out on the interstate while on vacation in september. i am going to put it back on, but i feel after looking at my other belts, i should most likely going ahead and replace them to. i am going to take all of the a/c stuff out from under the hood since it doesn't work. is it a big deal to replace these belts?
thanks
white heat
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Not a big deal as long as you don't try to buy belts mail order! Take your old belts to the auto parts store and have them match em. Even the parts store counter books will likely be wrong.
mkapp7879 2007-11-20 19:32:28
I went round and round replacing some belts on my 78s and 79s. A "numbers" thing. The books were wrong listing only the lengths. No info on the thickness, 1/16" width difference can mean 1" difference in length. I ended up trimming the width on a couple with a tablesaw! so they'd correctly ride lower in the pulleys.
Is your 78 an L82? I can post the correct sizes you'll need.
For a start, power steering is either 3/8" X 36 OR 7/16" X 36.5(either size used by the factory). Note the 1/2" difference in length because of the 1/16" diff in width. The 7/16" belt would be a Dayco 15365(15/32 X 36 1/2)
Former Member
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sand springs, OK - USA
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 97
Vette(s): 1978 white w/blue interior it has 80-82 front & rear clips on it
well, i am not really sure if it is an L-82 or L-48. someone put L-48
emblems on the hood and yes they drilled holes in my hood. the car was
a project car, it has 80-82 front & rear clips on it, so i am not really sure
what motor it is. i know it is a 350 and it really runs really good.
karen
Former Member
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sand springs, OK - USA
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 97
Vette(s): 1978 white w/blue interior it has 80-82 front & rear clips on it
thank you very much. i really appreciate your help. you guys on here are so much help to me. i am learning a lot as i go.
thanks again
karen
Former Member
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sand springs, OK - USA
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 97
Vette(s): 1978 white w/blue interior it has 80-82 front & rear clips on it
oh, that is ok. i kinda wondered about that myself. i do have a table saw, but i am not too sure i need to try that
karen
Former Member
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sand springs, OK - USA
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 97
Vette(s): 1978 white w/blue interior it has 80-82 front & rear clips on it
i do wonder tho, how do you tell if it is an L-82 or an L-48??????
If it is the original motor, you can check the VIN.
According to Black Book,
If the fifth digit is an L, then it is the standard L-48, either 175 or 185hp.
If it is a 4, then it is the optional L-82, 220hp.
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Former Member
Send PM
sand springs, OK - USA
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 97
Vette(s): 1978 white w/blue interior it has 80-82 front & rear clips on it
thanks very much for the info. i will check my book and vin when i get home tonite from work. you all give me more help than all of the guys in the vette club i used to belong to.
thanks again
karen
in Forum: C3 Engines
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