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I hear you on the belt tension problem!! I don't have AC, but I have a three belt system, and it sure can be a bear to tension the alt belt, I use a pry bar also!!!
The real problem for me, is the power steering belt, I come up from below with a hammer pushed up by a trolley jack, it took a little while to figure something out that would work to keep tension on the belt, while I did up the bolts!!![/quote]
From Y84pauloflondon:
Gm has a kit out there that replces our Multi-belt system and convert it to a serpentine belt system....Cost= $2500.00 CDN!!!!
There is how ever, a alternative.....MAYBE! Supposedly a Mid 90's full size Chevy pick up w/350, maybe 305, would have a serpentine system that can retro fitted on to our car's,(just the pullies). This is what I've been told by a few.
The real problem for me, is the power steering belt, I come up from below with a hammer pushed up by a trolley jack, it took a little while to figure something out that would work to keep tension on the belt, while I did up the bolts!!!
I hated having to adjust the PS belt. Eventually, I found a little tab on top of the PS bracket that fits a small pipe wrench. I can use the wrench for leverage when tightening down the bolts. Since it's on the bracket, there's no chance of messing up the pump. Honestly, how much would it have cost GM to put a 1/2" square opening on the PS bracket and avoid all these problems?
Tell me about it!!! The only thing that has the 1/2" opening is the AC......Which is an option!!!
When I've got time, I plan on going to some of the wreckers here with my FB's Alt, and comparing it to other GM alts, to find one that will bolt on....No Mods.....and w/ 1/2" opening.
You'll have to move the AC compressor to the right side of the engine if you want to retrofit a GM serpentine belt system. You'll have to replace the water pump too.
I hated having to adjust the PS belt. Eventually, I found a little tab on top of the PS bracket that fits a small pipe wrench. I can use the wrench for leverage when tightening down the bolts. Since it's on the bracket, there's no chance of messing up the pump. Honestly, how much would it have cost GM to put a 1/2" square opening on the PS bracket and avoid all these problems?
Hello vette gator!!!
There is a little square nut welded to the bracket, where the bolt goes through, I have tried this too, but I seem to not be able to keep the tension while tightening this bolt. I was going to try a ratcheting box end wrench, maybe that will help!!!
Back in 1989, while I was tightening up the PS pump belt, the bracket broke at the top pivot bolt. The bracket had some stress cracks or something like that where this top bolt tab is, and while I was pulling up on it with my hand, trying to hold it tight, it broke!!! I was sure that I hadn't eaten my Wheaties that morning, and I wasn't feeling particularly strong either, but I broke it!!! The next day, I bought two of the PS pump brackets at the dealer, one to replace the one that I broke, and one to keep as a spare, just in case!!!! The brackets seem to be punched out of the steel that they are made of, and that seems to put stress risers in the metal, which eventually lead to metal fatigue, and failure!!! I guess the "General" figures this is the cheapest way to make them, therefore that's the way he does it!!!
Tell me about it!!! The only thing that has the 1/2" opening is the AC......Which is an option!!!
When I've got time, I plan on going to some of the wreckers here with my FB's Alt, and comparing it to other GM alts, to find one that will bolt on....No Mods.....and w/ 1/2" opening.
Wish me luck!
Hello 84pauloflondon!!!
If you look at your A.I.R. pump bracket you should see, that it too has a 1/2 inch opening for applying tension, at least mine does, and that's factory supplied!!!!
There was/is such a thing as a crescent shaped tool that was/is used to apply tension to GM, and other brands? alternators!! It's bascially got a hook at one end, and an 8 pointed star at the other!!! If you've ever seen one, you'll know what I'm talking about, and you'll figure out how to use it too!!!
I'll look for a picture of one, and I'll post it somehow, or lead you to it!!!
Time to
P.S. Wishing you luck finding an alt with a 1/2 inch opening!!!
Tell me about it!!! The only thing that has the 1/2" opening is the AC......Which is an option!!!
When I've got time, I plan on going to some of the wreckers here with my FB's Alt, and comparing it to other GM alts, to find one that will bolt on....No Mods.....and w/ 1/2" opening.
Wish me luck!
Hello 84pauloflondon!!
If you google "alternator wrench 13mm" you will come up with the tool that I was talking about!!!
I'm sure you've probably seen this tool before!!!
Any way, google it, so that you know what to look for, once you find it, it should help!! If your good at fabrication or know someone who is, you can get one made!!!
You'll have to move the AC compressor to the right side of the engine if you want to retrofit a GM serpentine belt system. You'll have to replace the water pump too.
Do you mean, move AC compressor TO the Passenger side?
If you google "alternator wrench 13mm" you will come up with the tool that I was talking about!!!
I'm sure you've probably seen this tool before!!!
Any way, google it, so that you know what to look for, once you find it, it should help!! If your good at fabrication or know someone who is, you can get one made!!!
Yes, I've that tool before, but at the time I had no idea what it was for. And its been along time since I've last seen one!
Yes, I've that tool before, but at the time I had no idea what it was for. And its been along time since I've last seen one!
Hello 84pauloflondon!!
My dad had two of these wrenches in his tool box, since about as far back as 1966 or so that I know of. They were probably hand me downs from his father, and he probably used them on generators, remember those!!! I remember that he never ever used them either, but they were always there if he needed them!!! I would give my first, and second born for just one of these, well maybe that would be a little too steep a price, any ways you know what I mean. Too bad that my dad's wife gave all his old tools, and other automotive "junk" away, during a mad rush of "let's have a garage sale, and make money", after he died in 2002!!
My luck, the wrench probably wouldn't work for me any ways, it would be either too big, or too small, or would just slip all the time, and I'd just have to resort to the tried and tested "pry bar" method!!!
I've seen these all over the place, and now that I would like to have one, I can't seem to find any!!! The almighty spring loaded tensioner has made them obsolete!!!
I'm going to look around town tomorrow and see if I can find one of these wrenches at say Cajun tire, KMS Tools, Fortins, or Lordco. Someone is bound to have one as old stock........I hope!!!
I have this tool at home, its used for removing and losening oil filters. I just tried using it on the alt. I did NOT losen my alt, I just placed the pliers on the alt and gave it some GOOD pulls. The oil filter pliers did NOT slip off..... http://www.google.com/search?q=oil+f...8&sourceid=ie7
Put it to the real test, and loosen off your alt, then try holding the alt with the tool, and tightening up the bolt(s), does it work?????
The reason that I ask this is, it seems a bit like your going to need a third hand, two to hold the tool's jaws closed without slipping, while you are pulling/pushing to get the proper amount of tension, and one to tighten up the bolt.
P.S. If you do try this out, don't let the tool slip, you'll end up with mashed knuckles, and a scarred for life alt!! Be careful!!!!
P.S. Give me a few days and I'll post up the results! I've got a REALLY Good feeling about this tool! Or maybe I'm a tool.........lol
Hello 84pauloflondon!!
Good luck finding the right size of 5 rib belt for the alt!!! Cajun Tire had one that I tried, they said it was the right one, however, it was too short!!! I had the alt backed off all the way, and I still couldn't get it to fit over the pulley, tried everything, it just wouldn't go!!! I had to settle for one a slight bit longer!! After I got it all tightened up, I had about a 1/2 inch of adjustment space left!!! Sure hope it don't stretch any more!!!
Good luck finding the right size of 5 rib belt for the alt!!! Cajun Tire had one that I tried, they said it was the right one, however, it was too short!!! I had the alt backed off all the way, and I still couldn't get it to fit over the pulley, tried everything, it just wouldn't go!!! I had to settle for one a slight bit longer!! After I got it all tightened up, I had about a 1/2 inch of adjustment space left!!! Sure hope it don't stretch any more!!!
Eariler this summer, I got a NEW from Part Source(Gatorbelt). It was the right size. But since I couldn't tighten the alt enough, it just kept on squelling until one day it ran itself off the pulley and got sherdded.
Try getting a DAYCO belt, its what the GM dealers use here!
Eariler this summer, I got a NEW from Part Source(Gatorbelt). It was the right size. But since I couldn't tighten the alt enough, it just kept on squelling until one day it ran itself off the pulley and got sherdded.
Try getting a DAYCO belt, its what the GM dealers use here!
Hello 84pauloflondon!!
The original belt has these markings: GM 14101197 UCK DAYCO 5PK1075 and my new belt has these: Goodyear Gatorback 4050429 5PK1090
Works like a charm, it's just a tad longer than the stock one, but it still works!!
Another good idea for tightening up the alt belt, is to do it with a 1/2 inch drive (webbing) strap wrench!!! There is a bit of metal on the inside of the wrench that needs covering up so you don't scratch the alt case, but otherwise, it's probably the best bet!!
I'm glad that I finally came up with a good idea..........now I just got to find the right webbing strap wrench to go along with it!!!
BINGO!! K D Tools, tool # KDS3529 hd oil filter strap wrench 3/8 and 1/2 drive, handles oil filters up to 9 inches in dia. available at Sears, and it's got to be available at Cajun Tire!! $31.99 US Check it out!!
Last edited by 87IROC-DAN61; 01-15-2010 at 12:48 AM.
