Question for 96-98 guys running a vortech.. Or for Vortech know-it-alls..

I have a 96 Cobra with a Vortec. I shredded 3 ribs, and was able to get home on 3..thank god!!! I did not have to take the blower off, but I did have to take the bolts out of my alternator and lift it out of the way to get my new belt in. It was a royal PITA!! It took me 3 hours. If I had to do it again, it would be much quicker. Luckly that was the only time I needed to replace it. I had to get under the car to work the tensioner back though. Not something I would want to do on the highway. There was also a couple pulleys you can't see, and I had to pinch the belt and slip them in between and go from there. I always carry a belt with me, but I won't be able to put it on, on the road side. Thank god I still had my Vortec manual...I would have never got it without that.

Well, take some string and wrap it around those components. Then go to the auto parts store and buy that size belt (in inches) When I needed my new one. I luckly had the old belts 3 ribs in one peice. I found a 113 inch belt for my vortech Cobra at the 4th auto parts store I went to. It was off of an 82 Ciera 3.0L V-6 The guy said that it was in stock for 8 years. That belt has been on my car for 4 years now, and I also had him order another one as a spare.

SilverBullet00 said:

I have heard that the 96-98 guys can change belts without having to remove the blower AND be able to actually get to the tensioner.. Is there any truth to this?

I remember hearing someone say that they put a 98 timing cover and the appropriate vortech bracket on their 2004 GT and were able to have access to the tensioner and replace the belt of the highway if need be...

Any idea if this is accurate?

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Yes and if your car is a romeo then you should do it. I have a 98 2v does not point up like on your car