1940 LaSalle Fan Belt HELP!!

[AmericanClassicsofLondon]

Dear LaSalle Owner,
   I’m working on a 1940 LaSalle Series 52 with the 322 c.i. V8 Engine.  The original General Motors Restoration Cadillac Documentation says that it’s dimensions are Width: 1-1/64” Length: 33 15/16”.  This may sound like a crazy request, but would you be able to help me find the correct FAN BELT. (No, the Gates 44411 doesn't fit as it's 37" Long)
  I’ve been all over the place and bought at least 5 belts already & asked MANY retailers, but don’t seem to be getting the correct belt.   
  Would you mind simply looking at your Fan Belt to see if there is a Part number/Model number on your Belt, so I can buy one and the car back on the road?

The car currently has an old NAPA "Modac 76" belt

Thanks for your time & REALLY Hope you can help,

Sincerely,

Big Fletch

[Steve Passmore]

Sorry Big, there is no belt specificity available for the fan. This width for such a small belt is not made as far as I know. Part numbers will do you no good as they are all discontinued. You will have to settle for a belt that is narrower but remember it will sit lower in the pulley so does not need to be so long.  If you have one already take it to a bearing and belt supplier (not necessarily automotive) and see what sort of a match they can come up with.

[tturley]

I got one from McVey a year ago and they might still have them

[Steve Passmore]

McVeys were 'Gates' belts and even theirs were not as wide as originals but they did do the job, sadly I don't see any belts listed anymore on their website.

[Steve Passmore]

That might well work if its still made but other problems are that the size could be different according to the height of the fan bracket which changed several times throughout the years (my 38 belts would not fit my 41s) and also no Gates belt has the correct angles as Cadillacs 'V' was peculiar to just Cadillac.  As I said others will work but its a minefield.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

You could always try a Lawn Mower shop.   They have a range of drive belts that are designed for severe duty driving the blades of the ride-on mowers.

When I destroyed a belt on my '72 this year whilst attending the Aussie CLC Rally, the only place where a belt could be found was at the local Mower Shop.

Bruce.

[tturley]

McVey is local for me and I will check with hem tomorrow

[55 cadi]

One thing you could do is take a rope and route it around end to end and mark where you need it, then take that with you and the one that broke if you have it to match up the V and thickness,  use the rope length to find one the right length, the way they look things up is by model, but take the rope in and check what they have with the rope length you have to find the one that will work.

I did that with my 55, my ac is not working and need the ac generator worked on so I by passed it totally and went to shop with my rope used to see what length I needed and problem solved. I may have just used model for cars without A/C but to make sure I used rope method.

Jason

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I have a range of old fan belts that I simply cut them to length, and then proceed to my belt supplier.

Bruce.

[Steve Passmore]

All great advice guys and I have tried all these avenues myself over the years but believe me, if you were the least familiar with these flathead fan belts you would see what an incredible odd ball thing it is.
The peculiar 'V' angle. The width. The incredible short length and the fact the length changed through the 30s.

[tturley]

I just spoke with McVey and they are out of the fan belts but are trying to get another batch made. They have no time frame however.