Re: V-belt for 1947 356

Posted by Dave Kenney On 2009/11/4 13:17:04

This is all very amusing. When I bought my Packard the belt was an old one that had been on the car for possibly as much as 50 years. In the trunk was a belt that although quite worn was wider but too short. The belt on the car, being too narrow, caused the car to run hot and was slippng on the pulleys so I bought a wider one of the same length from NAPA which really fit nicely. Not having a lot of Packards (none actually, until I found my parts car)to compare it to in these parts I assumed that the little extension piece from the generator to the adjuster strap was stock since it also had been on the car for many years.
Obviously someone long ago was having problems buying a correct belt and substituted the longer narrower belt and fabricated the extension piece possibly as early as the 1950's.
My guess is that the short belt which I found in the trunk and saved is original and correct as it is 1" wide and almost 53" long and possible the original one installed by Packard in 1947 given the fact that the cars mileage is low and original and this one is quite worn.
Just for the sake of authenticity I don't think that I will bother buying a correct repro as the NAPA belt works fine and the shows I attend are never judged for originality. I guess that Kev should amend the parts X reference to reflect this since the numbers I posted are incorrect. Thanks John for all your labours in sorting this out. This is THE place for information on Packards!