Pre-A Generator/Fan Belts

[Donald Zingg]

Hi James

You are right - - -
We are getting sloppy here at the Pre A Corner in referring to Paul's latest project as a "pre A belt."
The retro artwork he's creating is for V belt size 13 x 850 for Porsche 356 2-pc. case engines only.
----

[James Davies]

Thanks for the clarification Don. Yup, that's the 2-piece case belt. 13x850 DIN 2215.

Victor, is your belt a 13x850 DIN 2215 for the 2-piece case engine, or a belt for the later 3-piece case engine? I have never seen a PORSCHE labelled belt for the 2-piece case engines.

Also, the original belts I've seen used on the 2-piece case engines up through 1953 were also Continental 13x850 DIN 2215, but they have a red label with "Continental KC" printed on them. Perhaps Contiental changed to the yellow label circa ~1954? Anyway, would be happy to provide photos if you'd like.

I suspect the first photo in this thread is from Don and is from 1954? That seems like a great candidate to be reproduced. Any idea what the KB letters mean? I have seen letters "CF" and "NA" also printed on the earlier red label ones. No idea what they mean.

And if you're not sure what size belt you have, Continental belts from the period have raised lettering on the inside that give the size. 2-piece case belts would have "13x850 DIN 2215" in raised lettering on the inside.

[Paul Hatfield]

James-
Thanks for adding your knowledge to this string of posts. Much appreciated.
The belts I am supplying for 2 piece Pre-A are in fact 13 x 850. Before buying a bunch of them, Don Zingg did a trial fit on his engine. All successful. Yes, it is a smooth belt, not cogged.

So, we press into making the artwork to apply to these belts.

As for the two alpha characters appearing on the belts, I believe them to be a date code. However, as much of a date code fanatic as I am, I have not yet deciphered them. So, I will apply a two digit alpha character on the belts, but I don't know what it translates into.

I will supply these belts with two different artwork designs as shown in earlier posts. Customer can select.

And yes, I already make a Continental belt with yellow background for 3 piece engines. Photo below. That belt is a different size, 9.5 x 825- same as all other 356's up through 356C

Yes, I am aware that there were plenty of other variants of belts during the 1950's that fit on the 356's. Continental changed colors and some were red, some yellow, some white. I will not be supplying all the different types.

I have tried to update my list of belts in the Vendor's Section. If there is any other questions, be happy to take them off-line.

[Ned Gorski]

red label is from a pre a 2 piece engine tool kit think it's a late 53 ...
Note the molded din # 2215 on the belt same as on the part book.

Regards Ned

[Ned Gorski]

White lable pre a from a 3 piece tool kit

[Paul Hatfield]

Ned-
Thanks for the photos! I think it is fair to say there was more than one version during the Pre-A production period.

Regarding the "white" one you show at the bottom of your last post, I have two of those here in my office. I will be making them in the belt size for the 2 piece case. When I look at the two I have here, they are different than the other Continental belts that I have seen that are truly white. These appear more like a light tan color and I have been planning to replicate that color. I am working on the theory that it is not a dirty white but was originally close to the color you show in your photo- light tan. That is also the color of the ones I have here.

[Ned Gorski]

Paul
i have two NOS early white /tan belts both are the same tan color. one came in a tool kit and the other came still in the continental cardboard belt wrap. my guess is that they were probably originally an off white, but seeing as they are on a black petroleum based rubber they have darkened over the years.

Regards Ned
55 continental Cab

[Paul Hatfield]

Ned-
Thanks again for the photos. Yours are just like the two I have here and like others I have seen and kept photos of. The color is a mostly even, not blotchy, tan color. Another yet photo attached of a different belt with the same tan shade.

As for white, the ones I have seen with some white lettering are faded, soiled, and have perhaps turned from white to ivory, but not tan. See second photo for an example. Note, the belts in this photo are the Continental belts without the PORSCHE name and are yellow background. Only using this photo to point out the white lettering.

Given there is a determinable difference in color between the faded, soiled white turned ivory and the tan color, I have decided to move forward with tan. The Continental belts (without the PORSCHE name) will be yellow background.

Hope this all makes sense. Probably boring most of you with this stuff. First belts are almost done.

Fun hobby studying all these little attributes. Now I hope when these are ready you guys buy some!

[Paul Hatfield]

First belts are done. Please see my posting in the Vendor Section. Please contact me offline for ordering but I am traveling this week and may be slow to respond as I will not be on-line.
Paul