Need help w/ Belt Tensioner

[dirty slut]

My belts have been squeking really badly on start up since I bought the car, the past couple of days it has been doing it close to non-stop. I looked at the tensioner and it was all the way too the loose side. I decided to by-pass the smog filter while im at it...........

I picked up a 85" belt today and will be picking up the 84.5" belt tomorrow (I had to order it). I went ahead and installed the 85" just to see if it would work. It works but the tension is still really really close to the all the way loose range, and Id like it to be more in the middle b/c I figure the belt will stretch a little bit.

Now, the problem is that I had a really hard time forcing t5he tensioner down to get the 85" belt on, I pushed on it by hand until it went on and it took all my strength and leverage. I have NO IDEA how to get the 84.5" belt on. I have a Chiltons manual but all its says to do is put the belt on, no specifics, othe then dont pry on it. How the heck am I supposed to get that belt on there????

 

[gregpro50]

Just get a wrench on the bolt on the tensioner pulley. The leverage from the wrench makes it a piece of cake. I had to use an 83.5 when I bypassed the smog pump but different manufacturers sizes run different.

 

[dirty slut]

Oh ok, so I put the wrench on the bolt that is attatched to the actual pulley, not the bolt that you break to get it to loosen up? Also know as the bolt that would be in the right part of the pic

 

[Mr. Potato Head]

No use a breaker bar in the open square.

 

[dirty slut]

^^^So take that bolt all the way out. Put a breaker bar into the now empty hole and lift it until the tensioner pops into place. Then put the bolt in and tighten it down??

 

[gregpro50]

No. With the belt off just bolt the tensioner into place. It will only go on one way because there is a stud in the back of it that fits into the accessory bracket bolted to the engine. Then put a wrench on the pully bolt and pull it back until you can put the belt on. The tension is pre-set and you dont have to do anything elso to it.

 

[dirty slut]

^^^ Just wanted to say thanks and you were right, it was super easy that way!! I put the 84.5" belt on 2day and all is well. I feel like such a boob not doin that way from the start