Switching over my 72 Cutlass S (Non AC) L34 (350 4bbl) from standard cooling to HD. I have all the mechanical parts/shroud/seals. Looking through the 72 Cutlass AM, I can find the belt codes for HD cooling without AC, but no belt lengths. And the General doesn't stock any of these obsolete codes anymore.

RockAuto has the fan/alt belt listed, but not the PS so I double checked the AM and it shows the same belt code (LQ) for HD w/o AC as with AC cars so that might be an easy choice.

Does anyone know what the correct belt length for the fan/alt belt would be for HD cooling w/o AC? RA is saying 49 1/2" but they have been known to be wrong before. Checking in advance.

 

The parts book shows the alternator belt for 1972 350 with Y72 and without C.A.C to be 50" long. Note that Y72 included the 63 amp alternator. Apparently the 37 amp alternator has a different pulley diameter that slightly effects belt length. The parts book confirms that the PS pump belt is the same for all 1972 Olds motors with either C.A.C. or HD cooling at 45 1/8".

 

Yes, I looked that up after posting. Got the same information and confirmed that the belts from RA were a safe bet. Thanks for responding and validating.

The alternator on the car originally was a 37Amp as it was a dealer order for a lease company and had minimal options. I still have it so I'll go measure the pulley to see if it's any different. I replaced the 37 amp alternator years ago and upgraded it to 61 Amp anticipating I would also install the Defog on Glass defroster. Not like it would ever be used now that the car will never see a winter road or be stored outside. I would expect the pulley diameter of the 61 Amp alternator will be close to or the same as 63 Amp.

Interesting enough, the 72 AM manual shows the water pump pulley to be KO but the one I have that fits perfectly is KK. I measured the distance from engine block to first and second pulley of existing standard cooling KN pulley. They are identical. So there's more than just one pulley application that works with HD cooling.

 

I just pulled the 37 amp alt out of the shed and measured the pulley for comparison to the 63 amp pulley. They're identical. Also, there's plenty of adjust-ability on the alternator slide to accommodate a belt that is anywhere up to 1" longer or shorter. I would surmise if the belt length isn't related to the alternator pulley, logically it has to be the fan pulley that makes the difference.