Correct deep groove pulley belt

[Darryl D.]

Can someone tell me the correct width or better yet the correct belt part # for a 1957 283/270h.p.?

[Mike M.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

they are available from Quanta, the gas tank folks who ad in the driveline

[Darryl D.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

OK, but that does not answer my question.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

You can go to Quanta's website and check.

http://www.gastanks.com/1953-1962/products/251/

[Darryl D.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

They don't give the size

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

Can someone tell me the correct width or better yet the correct belt part # for a 1957 283/270h.p.?

Darryl------


According to GM it was GM #3738437. It was 3/8" in width and 54-1/8" in length.

[David B.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

In 1957 Belt #3738437 was listed as 7/16" in width X 54-1/8" in length NO NOTCH TO be used w Deep Ride Pulley

[Darryl D.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

Well, here we go, two different answers. So which is correct?

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

Well, here we go, two different answers. So which is correct?

Darryl------

The 1957 edition of the Chevrolet P&A Catalog shows the GM #3738437 belt to be 54-1/8" long but shows no belt width.

1958 and 1959 editions of the Chevrolet P&A Catalog shows the GM #3738437 belt to be 54-1/8" and of 3/8" width.

Is this GM-sourced information correct? I don't know; I've never measured one of these belts.

[David B.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

The 1957 Dealer Master parts catalog revised November 1, 1957 page 172 does indeed list belt part # 3738437 as 7/16 X 54 1/8 no notch along with notation "For use w/deep ride pulleys"

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

The 1957 Dealer Master parts catalog revised November 1, 1957 page 172 does indeed list belt part # 3738437 as 7/16 X 54 1/8 no notch along with notation "For use w/deep ride pulleys"

David------

A P&A Catalog dated 11/1/57 would be a 1958 and prior year catalog. My 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1964 P&A Catalogs all say the 3738437 belt is 3/8" wide. The GM #3738437 belt was discontinued in January, 1965 and replaced by GM #3845486. That belt is also shown as 54-1/8" in length and 3/8" wide.

As a matter of fact, hundred of belts are shown in each of the above referenced catalogs and, while there are many belts of widths other than 3/8", I can't find a single one that is shown as being 7/16" wide.

In general, GM started replacing most 3/8" wide belts in 1973 with 7/16" wide belts.

[David B.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

Joe,
As you are aware Dealer Master Parts Catalogs were constantly up dated throughout the year to keep current. As mentioned this particular page (172) which was revised Nov. 1, 1957 in Grp. 1.066 is almost entirely devoted to listing all the belts available through 1957. This would coincide with many of the constant changes and up dates for other options such as RPO 579E etc which came out during this year.. Have always found using the correct year parts catalog for the part interested in is more accurate then looking for that part in a latter catalog. If I was more computer smart I would scan and attached page 172.

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

Joe,
As you are aware Dealer Master Parts Catalogs were constantly up dated throughout the year to keep current. As mentioned this particular page (172) which was revised Nov. 1, 1957 in Grp. 1.066 is almost entirely devoted to listing all the belts available through 1957. This would coincide with many of the constant changes and up dates for other options such as RPO 579E etc which came out during this year.. Have always found using the correct year parts catalog for the part interested in is more accurate then looking for that part in a latter catalog. If I was more computer smart I would scan and attached page 172.

David------


Yes, there were usually several editions of the P&A Catalogs issued through-out a model year. However, if your catalog was issued 11/1/57, that would normally be a catalog for 1929 through 1958. In any event, my 1957 catalog of unknown date (the cover page and several subsequent pages are missing) shows the 3738437 belt as being 54-1/8" but there is no information as to width. Curiously, the information for this belt is on page 172 of the catalog I have.

By the way, sometimes if there is incorrect information shown in a certain editions of the catalogs, it will be corrected in later editions. Not always but sometimes.

[David B.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

Joe:
I referenced a page up date as November 1, 1957 NOT a catalog issue date. As you know Dealer parts catalogs are loose leaf with pages constantly up dated during the year unlike bound parts books that can not be changed.
2 belt sizes were used in 1957 on the Corvette:
3712558 3/8 X 54 3/8 Lo HP
3738437 7/16 X 54 1/8 Hi HP
'57 JM also indicates 2 versions used which is correct HOWEVER, I would question the 1/2 wide (3738437) size or the application on a 56 as it states as being entirely correct. As you mentioned almost all Parts Manuals in later years list 37338437 as being 3/8 X 54 1/8. To offer a possible explanation why the difference I would be inclined to take a look at the 3738437 blue print (I do not have). It might show a revision made from (7/16 or 1/2) to a more generic 3/8 width, the length 54 1/8 and part number would remain the same. In point of time (1957) I believe 3738437 was in fact wider (7/16) as listed in the '57 Dealer Parts Catalog I use. I do not believe this size was a misprint. I cannot explain the 1/2" version or where it came from as stated in the 57 JM.

[Darryl D.]

Re: Correct deep groove pulley belt

So, where can you buy the 7/16 or 1/2 belt?