LS-5 captive bely w/ A/C question

[Tom L.]

Before I buy the captive belt for my car and find out it is wrong I would like to know what the correct GM part number is. My AIM does not seem to show the part number for the belt in my configuration, unless I'm missing something.

The belt is for a 1972 equipped with LS-5, A/C, P/S, A.I.R. along with the idler pulley spec'd for use w/ A/C. There is currently no belt on the captive/idler pully groove so I don't have a refrence.

As always all help is appreciated, Have Fun!!!

[Warren F.]

Re: LS-5 captive bely w/ A/C question

Lynn,

My '71 parts book shows a diagram for H/Per. w/C.A.C. w/P/S (454) these should be the original part #'s.

3927158 3/8-16 2nd track power steering
9782686 3/8-30 1/2 3rd track alternator
3952336 15/32-31 7/8 1st track water pump
3969948 15/32-46 1/4 3rd track compressor

[Tom L.]

Re: LS-5 captive bely w/ A/C question

Warren, Thanks for the info. In the past i've used GM part numbers with sucess, In this case just didn't have all the books. Have Fun!

[Warren F.]

Re: LS-5 captive bely w/ A/C question

Lynn,

You're welcome. I had forgot about the A.I.R. configuration. I do have that on my '71's but I'm not sure that belt configuration would be the same, since A/C was not an option with LS6's, plus I don't use the idler tension pulley set-up. Plus my pulley set-ups are for deep groove application also.

[Jack H.]

Re: LS-5 captive belt w/ A/C question

Flip the pages of your AIM back to the options section (after the base car is built up) and turn to the C60, air conditioning section, Sheet C60, C2. You'll see the original PN's for the LS5 with A/C belts called out there.

Remember, those PN's are only good if you're buying 'correct' reproduction, cloth wrapped belts. Current day replacement belts are die cut, wider, and ride higher in the pulley tracks, so they have to be longer to compensate for the extra width.

To get the conversion factor, you go to a Chevy Parts & Accessories Catalog, look up the original belt (by PN or by application) and get a cross reference to the recommended GM replacement belt PN along with its width/length specs.

[Tom L.]

Re: LS-5 captive belt w/ A/C question

I waited until I git home to respond to be sure my "ducks were in a row".

Warren, Your second post, I think, suggests that the part number you posed for the "1st track water pump" to crankshaft belt was not for a 454 w/ A/C using the idler pulley. It is the part number for the captured belt with no idler pulley? If this is correct or not please let me know.

Jack, I'm looking at the page you refrenced on your post. the only belts listed on that page are the "BELT-GEN (2nd track)" and "BELT-COMP (3RD TRACK". The bely I am trying to find is the first track belt from the crank to the water pump using the idler pulley used with A/C.

As always all help is appreciated. Have fun!

[Jack H.]

Re: LS-5 captive belt w/ A/C question

If you're looking at the page in the AIM I referenced then ONE of us is blind! I look down to View A (where the idler pulley is being installed) and I clearly see Item 4 called out which is the captive inner belt riding on the first track...

So which of us is the blind guy?

[Warren F.]

Re: LS-5 captive bely w/ A/C question

Lynn,

That part # for the 1st track (listed as water pump) 3952336 is shown and illustrated in the parts book for belt configuration with idler pulley.

Warren

[Joe L.]

Re: LS-5 captive belt w/ A/C question

Flip the pages of your AIM back to the options section (after the base car is built up) and turn to the C60, air conditioning section, Sheet C60, C2. You'll see the original PN's for the LS5 with A/C belts called out there.

Remember, those PN's are only good if you're buying 'correct' reproduction, cloth wrapped belts. Current day replacement belts are die cut, wider, and ride higher in the pulley tracks, so they have to be longer to compensate for the extra width.

To get the conversion factor, you go to a Chevy Parts & Accessories Catalog, look up the original belt (by PN or by application) and get a cross reference to the recommended GM replacement belt PN along with its width/length specs.

Jack-----


GM #3952336 was a special length belt. There never was a GM replacement, new configuration or otherwise, for it.

[Tom L.]

Re: LS-5 captive belt w/ A/C question

Funny you should mention blind, I do appear to be reaching that stage in my life that I need glasses!

Anyhow, one important piece of info that I may have foolishly left out is that my car is a '72. I noticed that of the cars you have listed as your own none are a '72 but you own a '71. Are you quoting from a '71 AIM? this could be the source of my impairment and will undoubtedly make me avoid the optomitrist a bit longer if this is the case!

I'll check the page in question when I get home to see if I should make an appointment today. Have fun!

[Tom L.]

Re: LS-5 captive belt w/ A/C question

Well I got to the belt issue this past weekend and was moderately successful. I took the number of the belt provided by several of you, 3952336, took it to the local auto parts store and had it cross-refrenced. It came up as a Gates #7315.

I happily bought it, took it home and tried to install it- no luck, too short. I returned the next morning and asked for belts of the next two sizes up, #7320 and #7325. When I got them home I tried the shorter 7320, it went on fine but when I tightened it with the idler pulley I was at the limits of adjustment, any streaching would not allow further adjustment.

So, second guessing myself, I returned to the store, re-purchased the origional choice and tried it. I was able to get it on but even with the idler puller removed it was like a banjo string. If left on I would have surely been at the parts store looking for a water pump very soon. Back to the longer belt with no adjustment, #7320, installed it and took it for a ride - All working well.

My question is this, Joe L mentioned that it was a special length belt that GM never replaced. Does someone make the correct belt? Quanta?

My