i got an 87 firebird with the 2.8 v6 and automatic transmission that has sat for more than ten years. and i have been fighting to get this bird running right since i got it in December. i thought i had everything working and i finally got my firebird registered Tuesday and when took it for a drive Wednesday the bearings blew out the back of my alternator. when i went on advanced auto's site to see how much an alternator would cost they had a warning which said that excessive belt tension would cause bearing damage. make sure the tensioner pulley works before replacing your alternator. and because the bearings are what broke i figured i would check the tensioner. can some one tell me how to do that i figured i would take a 1/2 inch drive ratchet with a 15mm socket and try and move the tensioner. i had to any way to get the belt off. but when i tried this the bolt on the tensioner pulley started to rotate. what should i do?any help will be greatly appreciated thanks.

 

Not really familiar with V6's? Do you have a serpentine belt? If you are questioning the belt tensioner, just replace it. Very easy to do. Just put a new one on my 93 Chevy pick-up. Tensioner works great now, especially with a new Goodyear Gatorback belt!!!

 

yeah i am new to v6's and i got to say i hate them and can't wait to replace it with the 454.
i feel like an idiot but i figured out what i was doing wrong the tensioner was bolt is reverse threaded so i had the ratchet going the wrong way and the tensioner waas a bit stiff but i soaked it with pb blaster and worked it back and forth it feels much better now.i would love to replace it but i don't have the money rite now.i still need 4 new tires the alternator and to fix the turn signals. and it needs to be inspected by next Friday.

 

Don't throw parts at it, diagnose it. Use a pry bar and a rag and pry it up and down make sure its movement of action is smooth and consistant, but most of all, STRAIGHT. make sure there no slop side to side and it comes down and up perfectly in line with the belt. Also rotate the pulley, making sure the bearing is also smooth and has no slop. If you feel anything you don't trust or it's getting hung up or jammed, then replace it. Alternators that are as old as these cars often have bearing failure, especially when the car sits and moisture gets into the bearing.

Hope this helps.