130-Pound Weakling Can't Remove Fan Belt Nut

[deMeadville]

I've got my newly bought from Pelican fan belt and pulley spanner, plus my trusty 24mm socket wrench. But I cannot budge the nut. Have given it a mild spritz with the wretched WD-40, but I'm concerned I may have to go to the gym for a few months to first build some arm muscle.

Secondly, once I've properly installed the belt with proper placing of the shims (for the optimal 1/4-1/2 inch play), beyond hand-tightening the nut, how much should it further be turned with the socket wrench, (i.e. a quarter turn)? I do not have a torque wrench.

Car is a '78 911SC targa. Always garaged, California car, so I don't see any corrision around the nut.

Your ideas on R&Ring the nut are most appreciated

P.S. Send steroids.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by deMeadville

I've got my newly bought from Pelican fan belt and pulley spanner, plus my trusty 24mm socket wrench. But I cannot budge the nut. Have given it a mild spritz with the wretched WD-40, but I'm concerned I may have to go to the gym for a few months to first build some arm muscle.

Secondly, once I've properly installed the belt with proper placing of the shims (for the optimal 1/4-1/2 inch play), beyond hand-tightening the nut, how much should it further be turned with the socket wrench, (i.e. a quarter turn)? I do not have a torque wrench.

Car is a '78 911SC targa. Always garaged, California car, so I don't see any corrision around the nut.

Your ideas on R&Ring the nut are most appreciated

P.S. Send steroids.

Page 270-16 of our Bentley says 40ft/lb on the alternator nut.

Also, for the alternator nut, you have the pulley wrench.

So, use a torque amplifier such as a piece of pipe on the wrench
while the other "big" guy holds the pulley wrench.

As for the shims, replace as was.

Our '86 uses 3X3.

Good luck,

Gerry

[john walker's workshop]

spanner under the pulley and butted up against the lip of the motor mount edge. that keeps things from moving. socket and long ratchet on the nut, handle upward, stand to the right and pop it loose with a straight arm. some can be pretty tight.

[MML]

I slide a 3-foot metal pipe over the socket wrench handle and use my left shoulder to apply force to the pipe while holding the pulley handle from moving with my left hand and pressing the socket against the pulley bolt with my right hand.
This usually works well in breaking the nut free and avoids heart attacks and hernias.

[MML]

Oops, got that bass-akwards. Right shoulder against pipe, right hand on pulley spanner and left hand on socket.
Sorry.

[john walker's workshop]

again, you don't need to hold the spanner handle because it's butted up against the engine mount lip. makes loosening the nut a whole lot easier.

[john walker's workshop]

[Vincent Hill]

Mr. Walker, Neat Picture because this is the first distributor I have seen that cannot be adjusted!

Like someone her said in much Grander terms (A Torque Multiplyer) I have a 2 foot section of tubing I use and allow the engine to hold the SPanner.

My $0.02 suggestion is when every possible I Always want the car facing down hill. This way, the washer / Spacers stay in place a lot easier!

[Jerome74911S]

I recently bought a cheap 12 volt impact wrench (runs off the battery). This made loosening the nut extremely easy, simple, and fast.

I don't know if a quarter turn is correct to tighten the nut without a torque wrench, but you do know that the thing is pretty tight.

[patssle]

I know your pain. I'm 145 and have some moments where I can't loosen some stuff. Thankfully my dad is around and can help.

Remember, the longer the socket wrench the more leverage you'll have.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Vincent Hill

My $0.02 suggestion is when every possible I Always want the car facing down hill. This way, the washer / Spacers stay in place a lot easier!

I use a tiny piece of scotch tape to hold them together.

[schumicat]

another suggestion is PB Blaster or Kroil. I find they work better than WD40.

[deMeadville]

Successfully got the nut off, as well as the attendant AC and Air belts, to R&R the blower belt which was about to split. Got nice 1/4-inch play, test drive went fine, rechecked it all. Looks like were good to go!

Special Thanks to Sir John Walker for his photo on immobilizing the spanner and for his further info on ensuring the holes on the AC mount were threaded.

Keep it on the road folks! Best ...deMeadville...

[John W.]

WIthout a doubt, John Walker leads with the most helped people on this forum. A big thanks from all of us to you - John.

[Flat6pac]

The distributor without adjustment is all Carrera because the DME controls the timing.
I use grease on the washers to hold them together so they stay put while assembling.
Bruce

[john walker's workshop]

a little lube on the threads before the nut is installed is a good idea, especially the fine thread shafts that can get buggered up easy.