Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): sears craftsman lawnmower, sears craftsman, massey ferguson

Question
My mower is a model # 917.378840 and the v-belt that drives the self propeller has snapped. My local mower repair place ordered me a belt but when I got it home it seems way too loose. How can I find out what length sears part # 175436 v-belt should be? I tried the sears website but it does not give a length and I don't want to buy another.

Answer
Go to an auto parts store and get a Gates or Goodyear brand belt and compare the size.

3/8 X 32

Replaces (OEM):
ARIENS 07204300
ARIENS 07208500
ATLAS 107-9
AYP 175436
AYP 65133
DAYCO L332
FORD 207925
FORD 336055
FORD 36019
GATES 6732
GOODYEAR 83320
HAHN 1362P
HAHN 308447
HAHN 308500
JACOBSEN 331808
JACOBSEN 336055
LAWN-BOY 207925
LAWN-BOY 612652
LAWN-BOY 61803
MASSEY FERGUSON 511485M1
MASSEY FERGUSON 511845M1
MONTGOMERY WARD 1185487
MTD 754-0205
MTD 954-0205
SEARS 5436H
SEARS 65133
SIMPLICITY 122039
SIMPLICITY 1666654
SIMPLICITY 1679717
SIMPLICITY 1700415
TORO 20-7159
TORO 3-7274
TORO 7-0657
TORO 7-2166
TROY BILT 1185481
TROY BILT 1185487
TROY BILT 1715612
TROY BILT 60070