I am restoring a 1965 Corvette roadster with an L79 engine and no power steering or air conditioning. The engine currently has two fan belts and an idler pulley like the L76 and L84 versions. (However, I am uncertain whether this setup is original.) According to the 6th edition of the 1965 NCRS Judging manual, "It is doubtful that the L79 engine was equipped with an idler assembly. Research is ingoing."
Is there a definitive answer to this question? How do the NCRS judges score this feature when the manual is uncertain?
At this point, I can easily leave off the idler and use a captured belt between the crank pulley and water pump pulley. A similar arrangement is shown on page 359 of Noland Adams' restoration guide for a 1966 L79 Corvette. Is that how the judges expect this car to appear?
Finally, if I am to use a smaller belt without the idler pulley (it looks like about 33" long...), where would I find an NCRS acceptable belt?
RB
Is there a definitive answer to this question? How do the NCRS judges score this feature when the manual is uncertain?
At this point, I can easily leave off the idler and use a captured belt between the crank pulley and water pump pulley. A similar arrangement is shown on page 359 of Noland Adams' restoration guide for a 1966 L79 Corvette. Is that how the judges expect this car to appear?
Finally, if I am to use a smaller belt without the idler pulley (it looks like about 33" long...), where would I find an NCRS acceptable belt?

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