PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: waldo786 on May 19, 2013, 10:08:38 PM

Title: how to loosen belts?
Post by: waldo786 on May 19, 2013, 10:08:38 PM
I am wondering how to loosen the belts that go around the alternator.  I have a new alternator to replace the old one but the belts could stand to be loosed a bit to make things easier.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: Jerry merrill on May 19, 2013, 10:46:41 PM
I'm not sure what year or type you have but the bracket that holds the altenator on should have two bolts that hold the altenator it on. One that is fixed, usually on the top and one that is on the bottom that allows for adjustment side to side. Loosening the sliding one and the other fixed one will allow you to swivel the alt. to allow the belt to be removed. To install is just the opposite but you need to use a large pry bar to push the alt. in the direction to tighten the swivel bolt and the other one.
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: TIGGER on May 20, 2013, 11:54:12 AM
If you have power steering the alternator is fixed and the power steering pump is what is loosened to get the belts on and off.
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: waldo786 on May 20, 2013, 09:37:37 PM
I do have power steering, so thanks for the comments.  I did loosen the two bolts on the power steering pump and tried to losen it as well as the bolt that kind of goes off to the side but it didn't seem to do anything.  Am I not doing something right?  It didn't seem to want to budge so i could loosen the belts.  Thanks!
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: TIGGER on May 20, 2013, 11:54:36 PM
If I remember correctly, you need to loosen a couple bolts on the pump/bracket and then back off the adjuster.  As you back off the adjuster, the belt should loosen.  I will see if I can find a picture of what I am talking about.  Sorry, I do not have a power steering car to take pictures from.
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: TIGGER on May 21, 2013, 12:10:34 AM
Here is a picture I found from my old crusing wagon.  I believe I had 3 bolts to loosen before I could back off the adjuster.
 
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: waldo786 on May 21, 2013, 10:45:35 PM
Well I know I loosened up two bolts before trying to unscrew and move the adjuster but I haven't had any luck.  Darn thing seems stuck unless I'm missing something somewhere.  I loosened those up but nothing happened :(  I'll have to try again when I have some more free time.  Any other suggestions?
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: TIGGER on May 22, 2013, 07:40:22 AM
I believe there are three bolts, one below that is not pictured. 
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: waldo786 on May 27, 2013, 10:17:27 PM
Thanks Tigger, I had a few minutes to take a look at the car over the weekend and found the other bolt so I was able to get it loosened and adjust the belts.  Thanks!
Title: Re: how to loosen belts?
Post by: TIGGER on May 28, 2013, 11:07:16 AM
Your Welcome ;)