Blower belt nut question

[wright77]

Hello, how can I loosen the alternator nut to replace the alternator belt? I have a 1/2 drive ratchet with socket and the spanner tool, but it doesn't budge.

Thanks Bob

[Targa Me]

Use a pipe on each, ratchet and spanner tool for more leverage.
Also make sure you're loosening the nut, not tightening. (Lefty loosey, Righty tighty.)

[wright77]

Ok Thanks I didn't think about the spanner wrench side.

[wright77]

Ok, I have the nut and belt off. Now which pulley on the lower side do I put the new belt on? ( The bigger one with timing marks, or the smaller outside one. ) Sorry, the belt had came off because I had a problem this morning. ( Too embarrassed to say what!)

[timmy2]

Go big or go home.

[wright77]

so the big pulley?

[Targa Me]

yup, the big one with the timing marks.

[wright77]

Thanks! '78SC is the best!

[wright77]

The belt doesn't look even on the inside pulley. Am I doing something wrong?

[timmy2]

Hard to tell without a picture.
How many shims on the inside and outside pulley?
Did you rotate the pulley and belt to get it to seat before and after tightening?

[wright77]

5 shims on the inside pulley. That is how it was set up. Let me trying rotating

[Ronnie's.930]

If the belt isn't riding evenly on the pulleys there is a good chance that one of the shims slipped a little out of place when you were tightening the nut - this can make the pulley halves cockeyed to each other and give the belt a twist.

[wright77]

Ok, now the belt slips right off when I fire it up. Any suggestions?

[Ronnie's.930]

The belt likely came off because there is not enough tension on it. Do you know how to check belt tension? If not, you want to see around a 1/4 inch of deflection, at the midway point between the top and bottom pulleys, with reasonable thumb/finger pressure.

You said you have 5 shims between the fan pulley halves - this is an extremely loose setting (depending on the belt length, of course), as it separates the pulley halves quite a bit and allows the belt to ride lower (thus, less tension). You need to keep moving shims until you have the correct tension.

[wright77]

Ok Ronnie, I will try , Thanks.

[wright77]

I have about 1/4" tension, maybe a bit more. I took out 3 shims, but they still seem to keep the pulley away from the back, thus the belt is not even.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by wright77

I have about 1/4" tension, maybe a bit more. I took out 3 shims, but they still seem to keep the pulley away from the back, thus the belt is not even.

I'm not sure when you say "took out", you mean that you removed them completely, but it so, you can't just remove the shims altogether, but need to move them to between the curved washer and the pulley. If you just remove them, there will be too much slack.

[timmy2]

Good read and pictures for you here:
Pelican Technical Article: 911 Fan Belt and Pulley Replacement

[wright77]

Ok, will try. Thanks

[wright77]

I am still having a problem tightening the belt. Do I tightened it after putting it on the pulley with the spanner tool? Than tightened the lock nut?