alternator belt replacement...warm air guide removal...

[rmolina]

Every weekend it seems I replace or repair something, oh well it keeps me out of trouble (wink wink nudge nudge) this week end I'm going to replace the 8 year old alternator belt,

Ive read D. Darlings article about alt replacement but would like a more detailes explanation on removing the metal housings for access to the alteranator and its adjustment nut, once again the haynes manual sucks, its a 71 tail shifter.

I know its about time I break down a get the factory 8 vol set for this car, As ive only been on this bbs for a couple of months, Im thankful for all the help, I dont think I would be able to do the amount of repairs that I have already done with out all your help and I thank you much, and if I seem to ask redundant questions I'm sorry, I seem to ask questions first and after an hour or so researching articles mostly find the answers, but your detailed answers seem to always fill in the articles gaps... well enough rambling.....

[This message has been edited by rmolina (edited 05-24-99).]

[jmcleod]

the alternator is held by a pivot at the bottom (probably a 13mm nut from behind) and at the top by an allen head (6 or 8mm??) in a slotted bracket so that you can pivot the alternator and tension the belt. i think the allen head is behind a black plastic cover (about 4" by 1" with rounded ends) in the engine sheet metal. loosen both, pivot the alternator to slack the tension in the belt to remove the belt. as they say, assembly is the reverse of the removal. i have never done this with the engine in the car but i bet it's a real pain of a job being hidden and all! good luck and enjoy!!!!!

i just removed my alternator with the engine in the car..its not that bad, i had the exhaust off in my car, so i didnt have to reach around it, but i bet you would have to pull it to get to the alternator bolt on the bottom, so..pull off the plastic cover on the side of the engine on the sheet metal, loosen the top bolt/nut, crawl under the car(w/ exhaust removed), and loosen the nut on the backside of the engine, yes it is 13mm, slide the bolt out, it should be a carriage bolt, then loosen the philips screw on the rubber boot going from the alternator to the fan shroud, and pull off the alternator..its not to hard, just a dirty job..have fun..hehe, hope this helps, good luck

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

If you're just replacing the *belt*, there is no reason to remove the alternator. Just do as "jmcleod" suggested. It's not that hard even with the engine in the car. Having an Allen socket of the right size (rather than just the hex key set) makes tightening the belt tension somewhat easier.

Another method is to cut the belt and remove the pieces. Then you get the new belt around the fan, and get it as far on the alternator pulley as you can. Put the car in 5th gear and let the e-brake off, then push it forward. If you set it up correctly, the belt will hook up on the alternator pulley and pull itself on.

I've never used that method, but there are those out there who live by it.

--DD

[rmolina]

thanks, im going to only replace the belt, so i need info on the sheet metal, which ones to remove, also since i need to buy the right hex socket it would help to know the exact size of the hex nut, so far everything ive fixed on this car has been alot easier than i planed, SO FAR, I hope this will be no exception..
the car will be on ramps, It should not be that difficult

[This message has been edited by rmolina (edited 05-24-99).]

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You don't have to remove any sheetmetal to replace the *belt*. There are two plastic covers, oblong-shaped with rounded ends. They're about 3" long and 1" wide. One is on the side of the engine tin up at the left-front corner, and the other is just around that corner on the front side of the engine tin. That's it.

The cover on the front is removed so you can get access to the pinch bolt. The cover on the side is removed so you can shove down on the alternator to make the belt tighter.

I don't know the exact size of the Allen socket needed. I think jmcleod is right, it's either 6mm or 8mm. Probably 6mm.

--DD

[Conrad W Peden]

The bolt is 6mm.(allen head)

Just a note: Do not make the belt too tight by using a pry-bar or screw-driver to move the alternator. Doing so can put undue pressure on the alt's bearings turning a simple belt exchange into grief.

I've been told the proper tension is such that you can twist the belt 180 degrees with your fingers.

If you don't already know this ask any 'good/porsche' mechanic and I'm sure they would demonstrate for you. New belts will also stretch for the first little bit so you might need to tighten it in a while.

[This message has been edited by Conrad W Peden (edited 05-25-99).]