Having trouble with one being slightly longer than the other and not getting an even tightness. Someone said you can request a matched pair (having the same lot number), but I just called Napa and they had no idea what I was talking about. Is it still possible to do this or do parts houses not understand anymore that some cars used to take a pair of v belts?

NAPA did carry matched sets.Ive bought several years ago.You need to find someone that can read a book instead of a computer.They are called matched sets.I know Advanced used to carry them also.What are they for?My kid works at Advanced maybe he can get a part no.Rocky

I tried to get a set for my 66' Coronet a couple years ago and was told there was no such thing

I finally found a Carquest that had someone who knew what I was talking about. He said that it was a thing of the past as they are made to "exacting" standards and are all the same. I protested but he insisted all would be well. So I ordered them and they wouldn't work. One was flopping around really bad and the other nice and tight They took them back and I found myself at a Advanced Auto parts next. He ordered in like 5 or 6 of them and I picked the two that measured up similar on the belt measurer they had.

Not perfect but close. Haven't had any issues with them.

Sad thing is not 10 years ago was able to get them no problem for my 69' (matched set)

Good luck on your search

Find the existing PN for your application, let's say it's a Gates 5120-445. The last 3 digits of the PN is the length of the belt. If you need a 2" shorter belt you'd order PN 5120-425.

JB,...matched sets are still available, most parts store dummies have no clue what a matched set means,....when a belt is made, it starts life as a long tube that gets turned (cut) in to the desired V rating (width and profile) numbers are stenciled along the belt in a progressive series along the width, ...example 33345 and 33346 are matched, 33345 and 34478 are not, it was cut further down the tube, which may be smaller or wider in diameter,....the BS line that all belt are now built to exacting standards is BS,....find a parts store that can supply your request

All the belts should have a lot number on them. Find 2 with matching lot numbers and you should be good to go.

Automotive V-belts in matched pairs would be a thing of the past with everything having serpentines on them now.

We don't seem to have much luck finding sets either. Even when we got a set they didn't tighten up evenly, that set was Gates.

I just got a/c belts from Rockauto.com - you had to order each belt separately but they showed up as a matched set.

Pat

I've given up trying... but done OK buying seperate belts. They are never exactly the same tightness but close enough to be functional. I generally re-adjust the belts after a while and the tighter belt stretches more than the loose one and they are real close at that point.

These were Duralast 15610's. I don't know who makes the belts for AZ, it wasn't clear on the band. This is a bit longer than stock 70 383 with a/c because I'm running a GM case alternator that is swung out a bit more to clear the head. These belts are a touch wide to sit into the grooves as nice as I'd like but I think that is the price paid for the longer belt.
It was _ok_ without the a/c on, but 1 really flopped with the a/c on, and it kicked that belt when I went racing last month. Been running with just the 1 belt but it has started to squeal some with the a/c on, can't hold both it and the alt drawing power for the EFI ecu and fuel pump apparently.

I have a few sets of matched Mopar AC belts. Let me know what part no and brand you are using now so that I can cross referance to get the right length. These are also the narrow correct width belts that these cars called for. PM me for more information.

ive been in the parts bizz for 14 years now . it used to be really easy to order matched sets. not so easy anymore. what i usually have to do is order 4 or six of the same part number to get 2 that are matched. now quit giving the poor parts people crap about it. and just so we are clear, most of us can read .

great link, going to head over to Napa with that on my Droid X and show it to them, maybe that will jar someone's memory!

well that was an extremely painful conversation over at napa, even armed with all that data from the gates site the computer jockey at Napa was completely unable to grasp what I was trying to get at.

Goodyear has a line of belts called The Matchmaker that hold the same length tolerance no matter where they're made.

Our local NAPA warehouse will send somebody "upatairs" to visually match mold numbers when matching belts are ordered.

if you strike out at the parts store look up a industrial supply house or even a tractor or larger mower dealer. (JD, New Holland, CAT)

They are used to dealing with matched belt request's.

I change them all the time on our air handlers and cooling tower.

One has 6 belts per cog

Let me know what belts you need, I sell belts mostly agriculture but can get automotive and I know what matched set means..lol If I can be of help to anyone just shoot me a message. The brand name is PIX, I used them on my 70 440 a/c R/T with no problems. Belts are made alot different then people think.

PM me with your phone number and I can help you out. Also a time I can reach you at the number. I can explain to you about matched belts.