best way to change a belt?

[1990LTD]

I am curious about replacing my alternator belt..don't need an accessory one, just the alternator.

It seems to me (the uneducated) that you need only remove something that is spinning on the belt (alternator being the only one I have done myself) and just pop it on there. Is that the case?


If this is completely erroneous, what does a fella need to know before starting the job?

[marquisman]

there is no best way to change an alt belt, only one way lol. just loosen the top and bottom bolt on the alt and the belt comes loose. only thing left to do is snake it around the fan

[andymac0035]

Loosen both bolts holding the alternator in place.
The upper bolt is it a slide (curved slot) instead of a hole.
Pivot the alternator (down) using the slide to allow slack in the belt.
Remove old belt.....install new belt.
Pivot alternator back up and lightly snug the bolts.
Get a bar (I use that claw of a hammer) to put tension on the belt.
Tighten the alternator bolts.
Check tension/belt flex (should be about 1/2 inch).

[1990LTD]

So the way I did it is actually the way you're supposed to do it? Jamming a hockey stick down into an engine compartment looks funny

[andymac0035]

Jamming a hockey stick down into an engine compartment looks funny

We must have pics!

[marquisman]

its the only way. the alt is the tentioner per say

[1990LTD]

We must have pics!

"The method of changing alternator belts on the Canadian models..."clean


Nobody is taking any pictures of my engine bay until it's been good and

[85crownHPP]

to tighten it back, I grab the ear of the alternator and the end of the alt bracket with some big channel lock pliers and squeeze.

[1990LTD]

thanks cats.


Is there a particular brand that are known for making belts that last longer, or is there a certain material that is preferable, or is a goodyear belt the same as a motorcraft is the same as a dorman...? In other words, are they all created equally? Would appreciate being pointed in the direction of a high quality replacement.

[andymac0035]

I like "gate's" belts.

[1987cp]

1) Remove old belt
2) Install new belt


Last belt I bought was a Duralast from Autozone, so that might not help you unless you drive to Detroit to change your belt.

[91grandmarquis]

Same ^ I use duralast brand. I don't think there is that much of a difference in belts, most wear is caused by pulleys that are worn/bent or loose conditions, not the belt itself. You should check every once and a while (I do it on oil changes) to make sure the belts are all nice and tight, because they do stretch.

[sly]

I used the tire iron/lug-wrench/crowbar to tension my belt. haven't needed to replace it, but I did need to replace the water pump... that was a pain in the ass.

[91waggin]

Upon examining the tread pattern and thickness and durability of belts, I wouldn't buy anything other than a goodyear gatorback or a gates. This is an item I don't want to worry about as a failure point, so I use those two. They seem to be made of a higher quality rubber, and the gatorback look like they'd resist throwing because of special cross-grooves cut in them.

[johnunit]

If you've got money, goodyear gatorback. They're good enough that the belt-chirp into second some modded whale panthers experience is almost universally fixed just by going to gatorback belts, even if the car already had newish motorcraft belts.

It's all relatively good though as long as you've heard of the brand. Gates, Motorcraft, Goodyear, whatever. I think that the good rule of thumb for these cars is that if there's 2 quality levels at a given store, buy the top quality, and you'll be ok.


Also, don't use a composite stick to pry