65 Water Pump Belt

[Edward S.]

Was having some work done on my 65 396 Coupe getting ready fior Carlisle. Went to change the water pump belt which had a crack in it - I had already ordered a new one from LICS, they show 2 different belts in their catalog - one says for no p/s or p/s which I thought was a misprint but did not question it when I ordered, the other belt says 396 with p/s.
Went to put it on yesterday only to find that it is a slight bit bigger then the one we took off. My mechanic had a Quanta belt with the same part number as the one I had and that was too small ? I should mention my car does not have P/S. Would like to know before I call LICS has anyone else run into this before or knows of a Company that sells the correct belt? We left the belt on but I would not like to build up any speed with it as it is floppy, good thing the car will be in my trailer going to Carlisle.
Thanks.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 65 Water Pump Belt

Edward,

I had this same problem with my quanta belt on my 63. I exchanged it at Carlisle last year at the Quanta booth with another belt 1/2" shorter. I really can't find fault with Quanta as the belt measured exactly as the GM parts book stated.

The old belt had the alternator on the edge of adjustment while the shorter belt put the adjustment in the middle. At that point I didn't care about part #'s..

[Jaime G.]

Re: 65 Water Pump Belt

Typical Quanta product. They must outsource to several vendors with no QC. You may need to try 4 or 5 until you find the correct fit. I had that problem with the alternator belt on my 65-396. Patience and good luck!

[Jim N.]

Re: 65 Water Pump Belt

Hi Ed, i have a spare water pump belt and the one thats on my 396 both in great condition if you need one i could bring it to you. if not, hope to see you friday at carlisle.

Jim

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 Water Pump Belt

.... Went to change the water pump belt which had a crack in it - I had already ordered a new one from LICS, they show 2 different belts in their catalog - one says for no p/s or p/s which I thought was a misprint but did not question it when I ordered, the other belt says 396 with p/s.
Went to put it on yesterday only to find that it is a slight bit bigger then the one we took off. My mechanic had a Quanta belt with the same part number as the one I had and that was too small ? I should mention my car does not have P/S. Would like to know before I call LICS has anyone else run into this before or knows of a Company that sells the correct belt? We left the belt on but I would not like to build up any speed with it as it is floppy, good thing the car will be in my trailer going to Carlisle.
Thanks.

Good ol' 396's ..... I don't think that's a misprint in the LICS catalog; same water pump belt (originally #$ 3837810, 3/8" by 34_3/8") is used for both with P/S (in which case it lies in groove #1, closest to water pump), or without P/S, in groove #2 (nearest radiator). [they should have said with or without P/S]. In both cases, it is a captured belt, necessitating loosening and pulling forward and tilting of the water pump pulley to be able to slide the belt into the groove. so you ordered the right belt, but the problem is (IMO) that current GM replacements are slightly larger (mine is Dayco 0.440 x 35.0) and is loose, as you describe. However, I have no fear of it not functioning in case of alternator belt failure. Centrifugal force (belt will become oval) will ensure enough "pull" to turn the water pump without slippage. Only thing is it looks sloppy on the judging field and you will probably loose points. So repro has to be the way to go, hoping that one of the usual suspect suppliers can duplicate the original specs.