1990 5.7l tpi

engine looks like this
http://consumerguide.com/wp-content/...9181000514.jpg


how do i loosen the belt?

 

First thing to do is disconnect the battery. Then loosen the back and front bolts on the Alt. Then disconnect the wires to the alt. move alt. and remove belt. Then remove bolts to take alt off. No power output?

 

First disconnect battery as stated above, then get a 1/2" ratchet and put it in the square hole on the belt tensioner. Twist to the left, and when belt goes loose slip it off the pulley. Remove the plug to the alternator, and the wire on the back. Remove the brace on the back and then the through bolts. Slides right out now

 

As henryd3 mentioned, tensioner....

 

is the arrow pointing directly to the tensioner ? i thought the tensioner was below that

 

the alternator is not charging the battery. im going to have it bench tested at autozone as well as my batt

my alt seems to only two bolts on the front and they are ...?torx head style? ... is that weird? usually i dont see torx had bolts/ screws on automotive things

 

That silver aluminum "can" contains the spring. It has an arm that leads to a pulley. But the square hole for attaching your rather handle is on the silver part.

 

Yes I forgot about the tensioner. Torx are common, these have torx screws on the intake also.

 

thanks got it.
just messed with it a little ...and looks like one of the bolt heads are kind of threaded/stripped. At least it felt like it was stripped ... lol maybe it my torx was just too small.

I need to go get tools , what the hell kind of tool do i use for for the "silver can" square ?

 

Pretty sure you need both T45 and T50. I would suggest just getting a set of Torx bits as they're used all over the place. $15 for a full set at Home Depot.

 

thanks. any tool recommendations for the tensioner square?

 

Use or borrow a 1/2" breaker bar or ratchet. It fit's in the square hole.

 

1/2in ratchet or breaker bar. If you have a 3/8 can get 3/8 to 1/2 adapter at the very worst

 

...lol yea i think my torque wrench is is 3/8




thanks. are you 100% positive this is the correct way to relieve the tension?

 

Yes sir. The tension is not too bad and it only swings back so far.

 

Yeap. How else would you propose to do it?

 

not sure, thought maybe one of the pulley bolts was holding the spring's tension. just want to make sure before i break anything

thanks appreciate the help.


edit:

nope wrong actually my torque wrench was 1/2" ..and it works. now i just got a pick up some torxs

 

 

Does anyone know to order the replacement Top Left Torx bolt for the alternator? I didn't loosen off the tensioner before I tried to remove the bolt and it is stripped so it's not going back in.

 

You can use a regular bolt of the same threads and length. Maybe you could chase the threads of the bolt with a die set. You can buy die's separately but you will still need the handle.

 

I found a replacement Allen Key head bolt. GM dealership in town wanted $24.90 for the original Torx bolt and there aren't any in Canada.
Brings a new level of appreciation to those that restore vehicles to OEM standards.
They must have deep pockets!!