Trying to remove the alt. I saw in the archives that you are supposed to insert a drive somewhere into the tesioner, or near it. But the article stopped right there. Do I turn the drive, which way, and then what ? Does the tensioner release itself upward ? How do I reset tension later when reinstalling the alt ? How much tension is enough ? etc, etc...

Thanks


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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.

 

The tensioner is automatic spring loaded. There is no adjustment. Put a box end wrench on the bolt head on the center of the pulley and pull it away from the belt.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

On my 1991, there is a 1/2" square hole immediately above the idler wheel to accept a 1/2" wrench (or breaker bar).

 

Yes, mine has the square hole, too. Looks like 1/2 inch. What do I do with it? Put a drive in and turn it clockwise, counterclockwise ? Does the tensioner snap out of tension when I use the drive on it ? How do I get the tensioner back to normal later on?

Thanks



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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.

 

You're just forcing the spring backward... as soon as you let go of the breaker bar, the tensioner will go back home. If you have no belt on, it'll go all the way back. If you put a new belt on, you'll have to force the tensioner back further with the breaker bar to get the new (nonstretched=shorter) belt on. But the tensioner will always want to spring back.

I'm not sure on your car which way to spin the wrench, but here's a way that works for all cars. You'll see how the tensioner pushes the belt downward. You'll also see a "belt-wear" gauge on the tensioner- the pulley will have an arrow, the base will have two arrows. The position of the pulley's arrow between the base's arrows shows you how far the tensioner can go; when the pulley arrow meets an extreme, it's time for a new belt. Just twist the tensioner in the direction of the arrow that looks like it'll release the belt. Coincidentally, that'll be the "easiest" way to turn...

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Its really easy. Just take a 1/2" ratchet from your socket set and put it in the hole. Turn it counter clockwise (toward the passengers side of the car). Pull the belt out and slowly release the tension on the tensioner. When you have the new belt all lined up, raise the tensioner pulley back up and slide the new belt back under the pulley. The new belt will be harder to get in than the old belt because its unstretched. Once you do it it'll be something you can do in a matter of minutes. Hope I helped.

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'91 GTA with TPI 350 & T-Tops. Just a few mods, if you want to find out just line up next to me at a stoplight!

Added bonus:
Wife's car is a '00 Grand Prix GTP!

 

Thanks, everyone. Got it. I have a 1/2 inch drive, fortunately. Got the belt off. Piece of cake, once I knew what to do. Thanks again.

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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.