AC Delco Air Conditioning Belt

[Rph74]

I just wanted to share this pic for those shopping for a new Air Conditioning belt. I spent more time than I care to admit, trying to find a made in USA belt. I settled in on the AC Delco since the GM Genuine one has been discontinued.

Anyway, it appears that the Delco Belt is made by Gates (in Mexico btw). Save yourself the money and just buy the Gates belt. I definitely overpaid @ $60. Live and learn lol.

[Arogg]

Appreciate the post. I just noticed while cleaning up the car that my AC belt is split and I gotta order one soon

[SummitWhite11]

I went with a Continental belt awhile back when I replaced my water pump.

[Danial]

Originally Posted by Rph74

I just wanted to share this pic for those shopping for a new Air Conditioning belt. I spent more time than I care to admit, trying to find a made in USA belt. I settled in on the AC Delco since the GM Genuine one has been discontinued.

Anyway, it appears that the Delco Belt is made by Gates (in Mexico btw). Save yourself the money and just buy the Gates belt. I definitely overpaid @ $60. Live and learn lol.

I used to be a Gates rep for many years. I say this for the benefit of anyone else who would like the info - instead of going to the auto parts store or even ordering online, take your belt to the nearest bearing house. Motion Industries, Applied Industrial Technologies, Purvis Industries and possibly even BDI. That belt should run between $16 and $25 depending on who you go to and how generous they're feeling that day.

We all hated it though, when they took manufacturing out of Denver and sent it to Mexico, however. We can thank Clinton's NAFTA for that. (Sorry, not trying to be political, but my industry is still bitter about that. It happened to a ton of great US industrial manufacturers in the few years after NAFTA was signed.)

I might add, that depending on the branch, they may or may not have the auto crossover references, so be sure to have the physical belt with you, if you can.

[Danial]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

I went with a Continental belt awhile back when I replaced my water pump.

Strongly recommend buying a spare.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by Danial

Strongly recommend buying a spare.

Because??? It's been on the car for about 2 years now and still looks good as new.

[Danial]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

Because??? It's been on the car for about 2 years now and still looks good as new.

Right on. I repped Continental too and I had more returns for stretched belts or unmatched sets in two years than I had from Gates belts in 30 years. That is not an exaggeration.

The problem is their quality control. None of them are made in the US. They basically go out to the lowest bidder around the world for a variety of their products. (Same with Goodyear, BTW) Some of Gates belts are still made in the US like their GT2 line and HTD belts. Most of their v-belts and micro-v belts are made in Mexico sadly, but at least they're made from equipment and drum molds supplied from their former factories here.

Again, don't mean to cast shade but I've been in the industrial power transmission industry for 36 years. I've picked up a few things along the way. Also again, it does sound like you might have got a good one. Two years isn't a long period of time; hopefully you'll get another 5+ years out of it. Depends on driving habits of course.

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by Danial

Right on. I repped Continental too and I had more returns for stretched belts or unmatched sets in two years than I had from Gates belts in 30 years. That is not an exaggeration.

The problem is their quality control. None of them are made in the US. They basically go out to the lowest bidder around the world for a variety of their products. (Same with Goodyear, BTW) Some of Gates belts are still made in the US like their GT2 line and HTD belts. Most of their v-belts and micro-v belts are made in Mexico sadly, but at least they're made from equipment and drum molds supplied from their former factories here.

Again, don't mean to cast shade but I've been in the industrial power transmission industry for 36 years. I've picked up a few things along the way. Also again, it does sound like you might have got a good one. Two years isn't a long period of time; hopefully you'll get another 5+ years out of it. Depends on driving habits of course.

Good info. Thanks for sharing!

[Danial]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

Good info. Thanks for sharing!

You bet! Take it with a grain of salt, Everyone's mileage varies in these matters...grin...

[Rph74]

Originally Posted by Arogg

Appreciate the post. I just noticed while cleaning up the car that my AC belt is split and I gotta order one soon

You’re welcome. I will say for the record that I am satisfied with the quality of the Gates AC belt, I’m just not so happy about paying $60 for “Delco” when it is stamped as made by Gates (and could be bought much cheaper).
Also, I should mention that the GM Genuine main drivebelt was Made in USA and of course, is of good quality as well.

[el ess A]

I bought some spares while they still had them for our 2010.

Option. If you just have to have a U.S.A. belt but not necessarily a GM p/n belt, try a Bando belt. I learned about them when I found out they were used as OEM supplier for my 2010 GMC truck. Strangely, the truck was assembled in Mexico. When I replaced the belts on the truck, I just bought Bando belts for a lot less than the GM belts. Other than the GM p/n inked on them, the new belts were exactly the same. Made in U.S.A. in Bowling Green, KY. Won't break the bank either. NEVER had a problem with them.

If you just have to have a GM belt, well, sorry, can't help there. I've still not have had any problems using Gates even when built in Mexico.

https://www.amazon.com/4PK947F-Serpe.../dp/B07BGCYTNR

[Rph74]

Originally Posted by el ess A

I bought some spares while they still had them for our 2010.

Option. If you just have to have a U.S.A. belt but not necessarily a GM p/n belt, try a Bando belt. I learned about them when I found out they were used as OEM supplier for my 2010 GMC truck. Strangely, the truck was assembled in Mexico. When I replaced the belts on the truck, I just bought Bando belts for a lot less than the GM belts. Other than the GM p/n inked on them, the new belts were exactly the same. Made in U.S.A. in Bowling Green, KY. Won't break the bank either. NEVER had a problem with them.

If you just have to have a GM belt, well, sorry, can't help there. I've still not have had any problems using Gates even when built in Mexico.

https://www.amazon.com/4PK947F-Serpe.../dp/B07BGCYTNR

Dang, I had a hunch, that the Bando belts were made in USA! I looked and looked, and couldn’t confirm that. Now I know what I’ll buy when it comes time to replace it again.

[Danial]

Originally Posted by el ess A

I bought some spares while they still had them for our 2010.

Option. If you just have to have a U.S.A. belt but not necessarily a GM p/n belt, try a Bando belt. I learned about them when I found out they were used as OEM supplier for my 2010 GMC truck. Strangely, the truck was assembled in Mexico. When I replaced the belts on the truck, I just bought Bando belts for a lot less than the GM belts. Other than the GM p/n inked on them, the new belts were exactly the same. Made in U.S.A. in Bowling Green, KY. Won't break the bank either. NEVER had a problem with them.

If you just have to have a GM belt, well, sorry, can't help there. I've still not have had any problems using Gates even when built in Mexico.

https://www.amazon.com/4PK947F-Serpe.../dp/B07BGCYTNR

Most of Bando belts are made in Viet Nam although they do have a facility in the US. But having said that, there's nothing wrong with the brand. I visited the VN facility in the early 2000s and I can tell you, it was state of the art then, and it's safe to assume it still is.

There are only two major brands of rubber products I avoid - Continental and Goodyear. Goodyear used to be great until they went out of business. The name and name only, was bought by a group of investors several years ago. Their belts are made by the lowest bidders all over the world in facilities that are very subpar, technologically speaking.

Edit: I forgot about Dayco. Avoid Dayco at all costs. I wouldn't put a Dayco branded anything on my stuff even if it was free.

[Rph74]

Originally Posted by Danial

Most of Bando belts are made in Viet Nam although they do have a facility in the US. But having said that, there's nothing wrong with the brand. I visited the VN facility in the early 2000s and I can tell you, it was state of the art then, and it's safe to assume it still is.

There are only two major brands of rubber products I avoid - Continental and Goodyear. Goodyear used to be great until they went out of business. The name and name only, was bought by a group of investors several years ago. Their belts are made by the lowest bidders all over the world in facilities that are very subpar, technologically speaking.

Edit: I forgot about Dayco. Avoid Dayco at all costs. I wouldn't put a Dayco branded anything on my stuff even if it was free.

Thank you for the insight! So Gates or Bando are the best bets besides Genuine OEM?