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I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question. I've been following the discussions about the L79 with no power options and whether or not there should be a second belt around the water pump and crankshaft pulleys. Looking at mine last night, the thought struck me...How would you get it on and then how would it be tensioned? Is there an idler I'm missing?
Rich Giannotti #38594
1966 L79 Convertible. Milano Maroon
1968 L71 Coupe. Rally Red (Sold 6/21)
1963 Corvair Monza Convertible
Having a original owner 68 L79 with no power steering or air conditioning, it does have three belts. One to drive the AIR pump, one for the alternator, and one with no tensioner that goes around the water pump pulley and the balancer pulley.
The "extra" belt used in this application is called a "captured" or "captive" belt. It is a belt for which no adjustment is provided and, consequently, obtaining and using a belt of the EXACT correct length is required. In some cases, these belts were originally an "oddball" length and it may be difficult to obtain a suitable replacement in today's market. Installation of the belt is done as others have described; you must remove the water pump pulley, install the belt in the proper groove, and stretch the pully up and onto the water pump flange. If you have a pre-mid 1969 or older Corvette that used bolts instead of studs for pulley/fan clutch retention, then you simply stretch the pulley up and onto the water pump pilot for temporary retention. Mid-69 and newer Corvettes with studs usually need to have the studs removed, the pulley installed as above, and the studs replaced. It is VERY difficult to stretch the belt and pulley enough to install the pulley over the studs.
There is another option, though, if one is not concerned about strict originality. In that case, folks with small block cars can install the idler pulley assembly originally used for certain mid year SHP small blocks. These idler pulley assemblies are available in reproduction. Big block guys can install the idler pulley assembly used for 69-74 big blocks with A/C. The 68 big block with A/C idler pulley assembly is even better, but you'll never find one; the 69-74 is available in reproduction and will work well.
Using the idler pulley assemblies converts the "extra belt" from a captive belt to a fully adjustable one.
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