Serpentine belt options
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 2
From: Westminster, MD
Serpentine belt options My serpentine belt is dry rotted and needs replaced. I don't have a UDP, all factory accessories are intact. I know that the main options are:
Drive-Rite V-Ribbed Belt (# 790K6) - $19.99
Dayco Poly-Rib Belt (# 5060790) - $27.59
Gatorback
Gates
I'm looking at either the Drive-Rite or the Dayco, which do most people go with and have the least issues? I know Dayco has more ribs so it's better in that aspect but is it worth the money and do people have squeaking issues with either? A buddy had squeaking issues with his factory correct length Dayco so he got one that was 1 inch smaller to snug it up...
Drive-Rite V-Ribbed Belt (# 790K6) - $19.99
Dayco Poly-Rib Belt (# 5060790) - $27.59
Gatorback
Gates
I'm looking at either the Drive-Rite or the Dayco, which do most people go with and have the least issues? I know Dayco has more ribs so it's better in that aspect but is it worth the money and do people have squeaking issues with either? A buddy had squeaking issues with his factory correct length Dayco so he got one that was 1 inch smaller to snug it up...
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,643
Likes: 2,571
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
I had some squeaking issues with the Gates belt. It is just marginally longer than the factory original belt. So I went back to a GM belt and all has been well.
Gates is generally a good product though. I use their V-belts on my old SBC with no issues at all. But their LS1 belt needs to be 17mm shorter to match the GM belt. This length difference may or may not matter depending on the condition of your tensioner and correctness of your other pullies/accessories.
Gates is generally a good product though. I use their V-belts on my old SBC with no issues at all. But their LS1 belt needs to be 17mm shorter to match the GM belt. This length difference may or may not matter depending on the condition of your tensioner and correctness of your other pullies/accessories.
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I'm all about Gator myself. On my modded Grand Am nothing else will hold the 7200rpm shifts. Killed 3 Dayco's in 4 months, moved to Gator and lasted 3+ years and still going strong. Replaced the belts last month on the TA with Gator and pretty much expect the same results from it.
Gatorback is a good belt. I currently have a Dayco in the T/A, because it was the only brand with the size I needed. I also have a Dayco A/C belt in my truck, they seem decent IMO.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 2
From: Westminster, MD
I had some squeaking issues with the Gates belt. It is just marginally longer than the factory original belt. So I went back to a GM belt and all has been well.
Gates is generally a good product though. I use their V-belts on my old SBC with no issues at all. But their LS1 belt needs to be 17mm shorter to match the GM belt. This length difference may or may not matter depending on the condition of your tensioner and correctness of your other pullies/accessories.
Gates is generally a good product though. I use their V-belts on my old SBC with no issues at all. But their LS1 belt needs to be 17mm shorter to match the GM belt. This length difference may or may not matter depending on the condition of your tensioner and correctness of your other pullies/accessories.
I bought a Drive-Rite because thats all Advance had in stock but I'm going to return it and get a Dayco or GM I think. I don't think it is necessary to spend the extra money on a Gator right now. My buddy that got a 1" shorter Dayco said I can try his standard length one that has 500 miles on it and if it doesn't squeak I can have it for $15.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,643
Likes: 2,571
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
What is the part number for the GM belt? Or would it be better to just order it at a dealer than get it online?
I bought a Drive-Rite because thats all Advance had in stock but I'm going to return it and get a Dayco or GM I think. I don't think it is necessary to spend the extra money on a Gator right now. My buddy that got a 1" shorter Dayco said I can try his standard length one that has 500 miles on it and if it doesn't squeak I can have it for $15.
I bought a Drive-Rite because thats all Advance had in stock but I'm going to return it and get a Dayco or GM I think. I don't think it is necessary to spend the extra money on a Gator right now. My buddy that got a 1" shorter Dayco said I can try his standard length one that has 500 miles on it and if it doesn't squeak I can have it for $15.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 2
From: Westminster, MD
Thanks RPM. I didn't see it listed in either of the part number stickies.
I'm going to try fitting my friends standard length Dayco polyrib and see if it squeaks. If it doesn't I could buy it from him for $15, like I said he told me it has about 500 miles on it. There is no harm in running a lightly used belt if it doesn't squeak right?
I'm going to try fitting my friends standard length Dayco polyrib and see if it squeaks. If it doesn't I could buy it from him for $15, like I said he told me it has about 500 miles on it. There is no harm in running a lightly used belt if it doesn't squeak right?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,643
Likes: 2,571
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Thanks RPM. I didn't see it listed in either of the part number stickies.
I'm going to try fitting my friends standard length Dayco polyrib and see if it squeaks. If it doesn't I could buy it from him for $15, like I said he told me it has about 500 miles on it. There is no harm in running a lightly used belt if it doesn't squeak right?
I'm going to try fitting my friends standard length Dayco polyrib and see if it squeaks. If it doesn't I could buy it from him for $15, like I said he told me it has about 500 miles on it. There is no harm in running a lightly used belt if it doesn't squeak right?
Unless the belt is glazed, cracked, and/or stretched, then it should be fine with such little miles on it.
I just looked at the price for a belt and that is one hell of a deal. I've been buying gm belt for my car at almost 60 bucks, because no matter how tight i tighten the adjustment for the belt i still get a squeek and only gm belts work for my car without a squeek.
