1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

[Bob B.]

Current Judging guide shows fan belt for base 1994 LT-1 is GM 10186198, I have been searching high and low and not been able to find a NOS accessory belt with that number-
IS there any chance the JG has the incorrect number ???? THANKS Bob HELP

[Joe L.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Current Judging guide shows fan belt for base 1994 LT-1 is GM 10186198, I have been searching high and low and not been able to find a NOS accessory belt with that number-
IS there any chance the JG has the incorrect number ???? THANKS Bob HELP

Bob------

The GM #10186198 is a "ribs-on-both-sides" belt used for 1992-E1993 LT1 Corvettes.

Late 1993-94 LT1 used a "ribs-on-one-side" belt of GM #10230259.

Both of the above are GM-discontinued but are available in the aftermarket.

[Bob B.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Joe L, Mine is a early car #1,906 8/26/93 build week per build sheet, so the double rib both sides IS correct 10186198 , I have been looking for a NOS GM Belt for a while and not seen one. Have any NOS belts been on Ebay etc ? They made a LOT of Lt-1's I may just have to take the hit on points on this one. when you say available in the aftermarket I take that to mean Gates etc with improper marking ? No good repro is available ? THANKS, I appreciate your time and expertise on judging these years.

[Bob B.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Just looked at my car- belt is smooth on one side ( not a GM original ) and is evidently for late 94's- do you suppose some toad put the wrong belt on?
Early 94's had "ribs on both sides " ser # 1,906 8/26/93 build I will take a look at pullies and check single or double sided-

[Joe L.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Just looked at my car- belt is smooth on one side ( not a GM original ) and is evidently for late 94's- do you suppose some toad put the wrong belt on?
Early 94's had "ribs on both sides " ser # 1,906 8/26/93 build I will take a look at pullies and check single or double sided-

[Joe L.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Bob-------


Some good and bad news:

First, the good news:

The GM #10186198 double sided ribbed belt has no GM markings or part number likely due to the fact that there's really no place on the belt to print such information. The part number is only on the sleeve the belt is packaged with. An NOS example is seen below [not for sale]. So, for this belt, I do not see how an aftermarket belt could be discerned from a GM supplied belt. Also keep in mind that GM never manufactured belts. They were usually manufactured by Goodyear, Dayco, or Gates and this often also appears on the belts. However, as I've said many times before, there's never a guarantee that the belts (or, any other part) sold into the aftermarket and branded by one of these major manufacturers is of the same quality as those they supply to GM.

Of course, you don't need the GM #10186198 for your 1994 so while the above may be good news for folks owning 1992-E1993 LT1's, it's not good news applicable to you.

Now the bad news:

The GM #10230259 single sided ribbed belt usually does have the "GM" and part number markings printed on the smooth side. So, this belt can thus easily be discerned from aftermarket replacements. Since this is the belt needed by L1993-94 LT1's, that's bad news for these owners from a judging perspective if they can't find an NOS belt.








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[Bob B.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Took a look at belt this weekend, grooves on ONE side NOS belts do seem hard to come by, odd since they sure built a lot of LT1's

JG looks like only a point or two deduct now, unless one pops up reasonable there are other places to make a couple points easier and for fewer $$$

THANKS ALL- Bob i

[Mark E.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Is it a good idea to use a 30 year old NOS belt? I don't think I would.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Is it a good idea to use a 30 year old NOS belt? I don't think I would.

Mark------

NOS belts are not necessarily 30 years old. I believe the GM belts were discontinued only about 5 years ago. The ones I have are older than that but certainly not 30 years old. Comparing the ones I have to brand new aftermarket equivalents I can find no apparent difference in flexibility or any other signs of deterioration.

That being said, the belt on my original owner 1992 is the original belt, never changed. Inspecting it carefully I can find no apparent signs of deterioration.

[Bob B.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

Mark- a very valid point, 30 year old belts are probably better than 30 year old tires, and good luck finding a good 30 year old battery.
BUT and this is a big but, just how far do you want to go with judging ? 94% Still gets you a Top Flight, and if you catch a few points for sticker, extinguisher and battery switch, plus some big DRIVEN a few hundred miles points - you can get a Top Flight with new tires, belts , hoses, battery.
BUT to get up to a 97 PLUS you start looking real serious for "relatively easy" points. you can't give many ones away. You have to respect the commitment needed to get 97 plus points. Shortly after flight judging I WILL install a new battery, belts and new tires- and drive her.
Enjoy the judging and prep necessary, it is a challenge. My 2 cents

[Mark E.]

Re: 1994 LT-1 Belt is JG correct ??? GM 10186198

When I acquired a 14,000 mile '93 LT1 last summer, I replaced its original belt and kept it, mostly for future reference. No spalling and only minor cracking noted in a spot or two. But it was significantly harder and less flexible when compared to the new replacement.

As noted above, maybe an unused NOS belt would be in better condition than a used one, but remember the "oh" in NOS stands for old. I personally feel less anxious with a new belt.

The R&R for this belt is quick and easy, so one option is to run a new belt normally, and swap it out for NOS when judged.