In my 1978 CDV, there are two kinds of belts - one with teeth and one without. The one with teeth is missing some of them, and so I'm going to replace both belts just because they both seem to be pretty worn. Does anybody know if I should get the same types of belts (1 of each) or should I only get one or the other. Also, what sizes should these belts be? If I'm not mistaken, there are 2 belts in the engine. I know how to replace them, just need some input on which to buy. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks, Lee

The stock ones didn't have teeth. Just go down to the parts store, tell them what car, and they will get you the belts off the shelf. The "teeth" ones aren't supposed to squeal (going from memory here), but smooth ones don't squeal either, if they are installed properly. I'm thinking a 9/16th and a 1/2" will get those belts on there nice and snug.:thumbsup:

Ok, cool thanks. I just went to advanced auto a couple days ago because I thought the belts were in decent shape and just needed some belt dressing. When I got home I realized that a bunch of the "teeth" were missing, so I have to go back again to buy the actual belts. Would it be helpful to apply the dressing to the new belts to try and get better performance/quality/life??

NO NO NO NO

No belt dressing. EVER!!!

Properly installed belts don't need it.

Very well then, this is why I ask the experts :D

IIRC the belts with the notches are for additional flexibility. AFAIK they are interchangeable with no issues. I have used both.....

My favorites in the past were the old Goodyear belts, as they had a lifetime warranty....

On belt dressing, I have used, usually doesn't last long enough to be worth the $ you spent on it.... It does improve the traction of the belt for a short time, but often not long enough to be worth anything....

The dressing was like 10 bucks, nothing major. Would you recommend notched or toothless belts?

toothy is fine with me, they flex better, and sit deeper in the grooves in the corners. But hard to prove too... But I think they are better... Mainly the flex part makes them better....

Yeah, I think I have toothy ones on my 71 Pontiac. I think they stop the belt from cracking. Probably a good choice on an older ride that won't see daily use...

Ok cool, thanks for the input. The car is driven fairly often however, maybe not daily but multiple times a week, then daily during the summer when I can cruise with the top down. I'll definitely be going to Advanced Auto Parts this weekend to grab a couple, because the squeaking is unbearable, makes the car drive sluggish, and lets off the nasty smell of burning rubber. Again, thanks for the help and I'll make an update after the belts are installed.

In my 1978 CDV, there are two kinds of belts - one with teeth and one without. The one with teeth is missing some of them, and so I'm going to replace both belts just because they both seem to be pretty worn. Does anybody know if I should get the same types of belts (1 of each) or should I only get one or the other. Also, what sizes should these belts be? If I'm not mistaken, there are 2 belts in the engine. I know how to replace them, just need some input on which to buy. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks, Lee

I'm gonna throw in my 2 cents. If you have a Goodyear shop close by, get the belts from there because they have a lifetime warranty on them. I had good year replace the 4 belts in my 85 Fleetwood Brougham around Nov 07 for like $200 w/ the lifetime warranty.

I hope that $200 includes installation. I think I can install them myself, and don't expect the belts to be too expensive. How can I find a Goodyear store? When I go to the website, it gives me the locations of dealerships/repairshops. Does this mean a Goodyear retailer would be located inside or be working together with the business?

I hope that $200 includes installation. I think I can install them myself, and don't expect the belts to be too expensive. How can I find a Goodyear store? When I go to the website, it gives me the locations of dealerships/repairshops. Does this mean a Goodyear retailer would be located inside or be working together with the business?

Yeah that $200 was for the belts and labor, because I really did not have the time to do the job. Check the goodyear website for a repair shop near you but before you drive down there, give them a call and ask if they have the belts.

Don't pay someone to install belts. I think the only easier job on a car would be changing the air filter...;)

Well, the Olds 307 AC belt isn't real fun, but once you figure all the bolts that have to be loosened, it is easy. There is 3 or 4, I forget now.... Darn, someone just needs to give me a 86-90 307 powered Cadillac.... I can help so much more then...

I have a couple of those emergency belts that you can put on on the side of the road to get you back up and running safely to get new belts.... I haven't seen them in years.... But cool to keep in the trunk! Shame my LT1 uses serpentine belts.... (yes, 2... I have a V4P car....one main belt and one flat serp for the fan....)

Panty hose and duct tape both make very good temporary belts. I was always of the opinion that with a V belt car, you should just keep an extra set in the trunk. New belts go on, old belts go to the trunk.

Yup, been my rule for MANY years! But on my LT1, I don't HAVE to anymore! I can run without either belt and not have an issue! Love them LT1's for that...

Yeah, I would love to convert to serp on my 71 Pontiac. Maybe I'll piece it together one day at the junkyard. It is a Canadian car, so it has a factory installed Chev 350 in it, so that would be easy to get a donor serpentine for...

Replacing belts is one thing that isn't that big of a pain in the ass. They're easy to install and easy to find. However, I will keep my old ones in my trunk now... just incase. Thanks for the tip.

Those dang squealing belts.... haunting me to this day....
- 1988 307 4Dr
- Been picking at the old girl to get her to daily driver status... Replaced the alternator belt at the same time I replaced the alternator... Noticed the belt from the crank was cracked and aged and needed to be replaced and the troubles began... Once I found the lower bolt under the PS pump the job was easy, but in the mean time I loosened up too many items and got the PS pump pulley out of alignment... Belt broke... luckily old one in the trunk w/my tools... Got the PS pump aligned and a second new belt... Started squeaking again... Books say to have a bit of play in the belt... something like a 1/8-1/4" of a given linear length.. Adjusted by the book... Squealed unbearably and snapped again.... Checked with an experienced mechanic and he said the PS belt needs to be tight, very tight... Adjusted very tight with the ps pump... Belt is very very quiet... Wife says I can't drive it in the same pay period we get heating fuel... car is too thirsty, tough to justify the fuel cost... kept driving and it overheated and had to be towed... installed a second thermostat, flushed radiator, (previously did that in July when I installed a new water pump so I wouldn't get in this mess during winter...) still overheats... mechanic says air is in the system... wife says sell that pig... been driving my pickup for the past 6 weeks... sigh....

Sorry to ramble - back to the belts - I've done it in the pouing rain on the side of the road - once you know where the bolts are - cake job. To stop the squealing, make the PS belt tight.

Keep tools and extra belts in your trunk (like snowmobiling)!

On my 307/350's it was always the PS belt that plauged me. Make sure you use the prybar like the FSM shows and make sure all bolts are loosened, adjust belt and tighten all 3 or 4 of them. That is what made the difference with mine. But still the stab of the throttle would make them squeal from time to time....

We used to buy those babies at stores like K-Mart or Benny's (East Coast) right off the shelf. As much as I like working on the old Caddies, the serpentine belt is a gift from heaven, hell, you could keep the old one in the trunk. I think changing the old 3 and 4 belt setup was the biggest pain in the ass of them all, especially the bloody power steering belt and the AC.

Just one more question - I think I'm gonna make a trip up to advanced auto tomorrow to get the belts because I have the day off for President's Day. Before I go, I just want to make sure that there are only 2 belts in the 425 Big Block engine. Since I want to replace them all, I don't want to accidentally get too few.

Seems to me there were always at least 3, when they look up the car they'll list all the belts called for.

Ok, there are just the two main ones that I can see. I'll have to take a closer look then to look for the third one. Either way, I'll just ask the staff I guess and get as many belts as I would need.

Ok, I know it's been a while, but I changed the belts a couple weeks ago, and until yesterday everything was running great. However, yesterday the belts started squeaking again. Why would this happen? Could it be that I messed up installing them? The belts don't squeak every time, so that has me a little confused. Oh and I didn't get my belts at the goodyear store, but at Advanced Auto Parts, so the ones I bought do not have the "teeth". I don't see where I could have screwed up, as it's just removing the belts, fidgeting with the new ones to get them to fit on, then tightening them on.

When they are new they will stretch a little. It probably needs to be tightened again. I've had alternator squeals trick me into changing belts before so it's another thing to look into.

My drivers side window randomly stopped working too. Could this also be tied to the alternator belt? Although it seems as it would be a more complicated issue...

I would say only if it is stalling the alternator due to a weak belt and weak battery, likely not though....

I hope that $200 includes installation. I think I can install them myself, and don't expect the belts to be too expensive. How can I find a Goodyear store? When I go to the website, it gives me the locations of dealerships/repairshops. Does this mean a Goodyear retailer would be located inside or be working together with the business?

Um...that seems a bit steep to me. Does that include the timing chain or belt?:thepan: