Success! The belt is a 65 inch 7 rib serpentine belt. Couldn't find one at any of the local parts store, but they did have a water pump belt.
Ok, the short story. After having the serpentine and the water pump belt break, the engine vented a little Coolant. We had a place to pull off the highway, but just barely for our convoy of two drivers and 7 vehicles. Opening the hood revealed an alternator missing the nut on it, AND a moving shaft. Crap.
That shredded the serpentine which while it was going out, took out the water pump belt. Alex!! A call to Idaho Motor pool got us a replacement alternator, replacement serpentine belt and a great big smile at our "luck". Great, an hour both ways and we have the parts to fix the deuce. It's 10 pm. I call the local cat dealer to see if they are open saturday. I get an after hours parts message. No way. Yep, they are open to 11pm. They have a serpentine belt. Someone special ordered one two years ago, and never picked it up. SOLD! I get back to the convoy at 10:45. My beautiful is resting peacefully in the Motor Home. 30 seconds later she's in green coveralls turning wrenches. (Wenches and Wrenches!)
We start the operation. Getting the new waterpump belt on takes a bit over two hours. Mostly because our wrench is just a little too long. Ok. It's done. Now for the alternator.
Alternator from Alex is slightly different, but looks about right wiring and size. Pull the old one off, and the bracket comes off in two pieces. Not good. It's 2 am and we have a broken alternator mount. Not going to find one. So we pull the small AC welder out of the back of the Deuce. Yes, I carry a welder. I plug it into the RV and get 110 power. 1/2 hour later, we have a one piece bracket. Alternator goes on. It's 3 am. Belt takes 20 seconds to install. Check all gear, tools and truck, and fire it up. It's Alive!
drive to local walmart, collapse in puddle.
Yes, that's the short story. I left out the visit by the police, the high speed run to alex, and the cow.
Thanks to Gimpy Robb for once again being my voice of reason and looking for parts for me late at night. Dude! you're amazing, and an insomniac. You should change one of those.
Thanks to Alex, again. I told him we have to stop meeting like this. And to all the replies, thank you! good advice as usual.
