97 Thomas MVP Fan Belt Number? cummins 8.3 6CTA

[MechanicGuy24]

Hello all,
I am having a real issue figuring out what this fan belt part number is, and where to get one.
I have a rear engine 97 Thomas MVP with a cummins 8.3 6CTA.
There seems to be a very interesting belt that has two V belts connected as one. This may be common, but I'm new to the whole bus thing ha!
This bus is 2 hours away from my house at a bus yard for storage and I'm looking for a belt for it so when I go get it after winter is over I can drive it back with peace of mind. This belt is about to give up the ghost, it's cracked all over.
Does any one have a part number or can guide me to find one?
First picture is to show where the belt is. Second is where the belt comes to the crank of the engine.

 

[ewo1]

3 ways of doing this...

1) ask for and someone will tell you what they got, might not fit yours though.

2) call a Thomas bus dealer, give them the vin and maybe they have it in records...

3) take the old belt off, grab a string/rope and follow the existing belt with the string, you are pairing the belt with the string. with a marker, make a mark where the string meets itself/ overlaps. Measure it with a tape measure, the whole sting from mark to mark then go to NAPA and tell them you need a serpentine belt X inches long. Oh yeah, count the ribs on the serpentine, you want to replace it with the same number of ribs.

This last method works, best if you took the old belt to NAPA as they have a measuring stick just for this purpose.

 

[MechanicGuy24]

3 ways of doing this...

1) ask for and someone will tell you what they got, might not fit yours though.

2) call a Thomas bus dealer, give them the vin and maybe they have it in records...

3) take the old belt off, grab a string/rope and follow the existing belt with the string, you are pairing the belt with the string. with a marker, make a mark where the string meets itself/ overlaps. Measure it with a tape measure, the whole sting from mark to mark then go to NAPA and tell them you need a serpentine belt X inches long. Oh yeah, count the ribs on the serpentine, you want to replace it with the same number of ribs.

This last method works, best if you took the old belt to NAPA as they have a measuring stick just for this purpose.

Good information thank you. I might just give Thomas a call and see what they tell me.
I know bringing it to Napa is the correct way to handle this, I'm just trying to avoid a 4hr round trip if I can't get it from them before driving my bus home.

 

[ewo1]

I just took a closer look at your first pic.
You got a mechanical 8.3!
A/C too!
Nice score!

Which Allison tranny?

 

[MechanicGuy24]

I just took a closer look at your first pic.
You got a mechanical 8.3!
A/C too!
Nice score!

Which Allison tranny?

Thank you, it's really the sole reason I got this bus. It has the Allison MD3060. I am very excited to have something not plagued with electronics and computer junk.

 

[Crown_Guy]

Hello all,
I am having a real issue figuring out what this fan belt part number is, and where to get one.
I have a rear engine 97 Thomas MVP with a cummins 8.3 6CTA.
There seems to be a very interesting belt that has two V belts connected as one. This may be common, but I'm new to the whole bus thing ha!
This bus is 2 hours away from my house at a bus yard for storage and I'm looking for a belt for it so when I go get it after winter is over I can drive it back with peace of mind. This belt is about to give up the ghost, it's cracked all over.
Does any one have a part number or can guide me to find one?
First picture is to show where the belt is. Second is where the belt comes to the crank of the engine.
View attachment 2412389View attachment 2412390

Not that uncommon, but not overly seen due to extra expense. Not sure of the advantages but I suspect the uniform length and even stretch and wear across the number of sheaves reduced wear and adds better grip and more power transfer, maybe even a longer overall life to the belt(s). It can be easily replaced with two regular V-belts of the correct length . Crowns used them for the radiator fan drive with three sheaves. Through the years most have been replaced with 3 single belts and it works just fine. The unitary multiple sheave belts are still available from the normal belt manufacturers but you will need to know the correct length and number of sheaves of coarse, and they cost extra for sure. That's why the replacements over time. Thomas should be able to provide you with the correct part number(probably only their own internal #), and maybe even a cross reference number you can use to track it down from the various belts brands. They're out there as well as other alternatives.

This is your entry into the Mad Mad World of acquiring and then keeping a vintage bus on the road and drive-able. It only gets worse form here..... Get to know Thomas and any tech rep willing to help you. Also if they have any kind of manuals, acquire all you can get, including Cummins, Allison, even Bendix for air components, etc. and remember you are on your own and will need to learn how to research and track down many parts you're going to need. There may also be equivalent parts or components available today that can replace for functionality the older and hard to find parts. Keep and open mind and don't be afraid to create your own solutions. That's our reality.

 

[Bjorkinman]

pm me and I’ll send you a copy of the 8.3 service manual.
I took my old belt to Napa and they got me a new one. I don’t have the same setup you do. Also, Charlie ball can unlock 6th gear for you, cassady made a good video on YouTube about it. Worked great for me.

 

[MechanicGuy24]

Not that uncommon, but not overly seen due to extra expense. Not sure of the advantages but I suspect the uniform length and even stretch and wear across the number of sheaves reduced wear and adds better grip and more power transfer, maybe even a longer overall life to the belt(s). It can be easily replaced with two regular V-belts of the correct length . Crowns used them for the radiator fan drive with three sheaves. Through the years most have been replaced with 3 single belts and it works just fine. The unitary multiple sheave belts are still available from the normal belt manufacturers but you will need to know the correct length and number of sheaves of coarse, and they cost extra for sure. That's why the replacements over time. Thomas should be able to provide you with the correct part number(probably only their own internal #), and maybe even a cross reference number you can use to track it down from the various belts brands. They're out there as well as other alternatives.

This is your entry into the Mad Mad World of acquiring and then keeping a vintage bus on the road and drive-able. It only gets worse form here..... Get to know Thomas and any tech rep willing to help you. Also if they have any kind of manuals, acquire all you can get, including Cummins, Allison, even Bendix for air components, etc. and remember you are on your own and will need to learn how to research and track down many parts you're going to need. There may also be equivalent parts or components available today that can replace for functionality the older and hard to find parts. Keep and open mind and don't be afraid to create your own solutions. That's our reality.

Thank you so much. Very good solid advice. I will do a lot of research and make calls before I come on here asking the same 974 questions everyone else does. I got my hands on all the manuals for the engine and Thomas chassis manual. I just couldn't find belt specifics.
Thanks again you gave me a lot of good information!