Alternator belt replacement help

[zbane]

I apologize if this is a stupid question, but it’s got me stumped.

I need to change the alternator belt, but do not know how to get to it. Obviously, I need to remove the power steering/oil pump belt (#1 in the photo), the A/C compressor belt (#2), and finally the alternator belt (#3).

I figured I would go ahead and replace all three at the same time, unfortunately, the parts store was out of the A/C belt.

Anyway, I was thinking of removing the fan blade, loosening the idlers, and sliding the alternator in.

However, I can’t see how to remove the fan blade. I can feel bolts on the front of the blade, and see others behind it, but I don’t want to inadvertently disassemble the fan clutch.

Is removing the fan blade even necessary, or can the job be done with just loosening the idlers entirely, then wiggling the belts around it?

My FSM is usually very helpful, but on this issue, it’s not.

If you think something is missing in these photos, it’s the top half of the fan shroud, which I’ve already removed.

[e_racer1999]

the way i did it was loosen the 6 hex bolts on the front. the pulley will come off as well as the fan, and putting it back on is a bear, but it works!

[Arne]

Typically, I've found it easiest to remove the fan and fan clutch as a unit by removing the four nuts on the water pump pulley that hold the base of the fan clutch.

[zbane]

Typically, I've found it easiest to remove the fan and fan clutch as a unit by removing the four nuts on the water pump pulley that hold the base of the fan clutch.

I'll give it a shot tomorrow, and if it fails, I'll be trying E_racers' idea, unless something else comes to mind.

Will update as warrented, be it good or bad.

[sblake01]

the way i did it was loosen the 6 hex bolts on the front. the pulley will come off as well as the fan, and putting it back on is a bear, but it works!

Maybe your setup is different but wouldn't that just remove the fan? Are you talking about the bolts that hold the fan on the clutch fan assembly? And there's only four bolts. Removing the four that hold the clutch fan to the water pump is easier, as Arne said.

[moonpup]

Since you don't have a fan shroud, you shouldn't have to remove the fan. Just loosen the idler pulley/s or mounting bolts if necessary and then each belt can be slipped over the fan. If the belt/s are still too tight after loosening the idler pulley/s, it's easy to just remove the idler pully itself by removing the center bolt. Good luck.

[e_racer1999]

Maybe your setup is different but wouldn't that just remove the fan? Are you talking about the bolts that hold the fan on the clutch fan assembly? And there's only four bolts. Removing the four that hold the clutch fan to the water pump is easier, as Arne said.

that's what i meant. for some reason i was thinking 6; it's been a while. anyway, i think we're talking about the same thing. on mine, if you loosen the nuts (or bolts, depending on the water pump) not only does the fan come off the pulley pops loose, too.

[JimmyZ]

Like moonpup said the belts should be able to snake around the fan blades. That's how I've always done it. The only reason I can see to remove the blades is if adjusting the other belts is too much of a pain with the fan in the way.

As mentioned above the four nut WP pulley removal is way easier than taking the fan off the clutch if you really need to.

My2c

Jim

[zbane]

Well, I decided to take out the fan blade and pulley, as had been suggested, and am thankful for doing so. It was a tight fit getting in there to remove the nuts, but in the longrun it made things much easier, since it allowed me to see everything.

Additionally, I couldn't get the alternator to budge on its pivot point, so I ended up coaxing the fan pulley onto its mounts; something I never would have been able to do if the blades were attached.

The alternator belt was getting pretty rotted, A/C belt was in good shape (that's the one that I couldn't get at Napa), and the power steering pump belt was starting to develop some serious cracks.

Took some time, and I ended up spending more time wiggling under the car in my vain attempts to loosen the Alt, and of course I kept dropping nuts, but all in all, it was a great learning experience.

Next project is to find the source of a Nasty Leak I just discovered after a night of rain...

Thanks to all for your help.

[e_racer1999]

glad it worked for ya! ya, i couldn't imagine doing it any other way.

as far as the leak is concerned, it's more than likely your window seal

[sblake01]

A/C belt was in good shape (that's the one that I couldn't get at Napa)

I had a problem finding one for my Z. I went to this old, store front type auto parts store up the street, you know the type that is just crammed with stuff some of which looks like it's been there for years. The old guy that runs it got out a fan belt measuring tool (haven't seen one of those in years!) and measured it, length, width, and pitch. He then went in the back for what seemed like 20 minutes and came back with with a perfect replacement. A Gates brand belt too, not some no name replacement.

[zbane]

I had a problem finding one for my Z. I went to this old, store front type auto parts store up the street, you know the type that is just crammed with stuff some of which looks like it's been there for years.

There's one of these in Sylva called Smoky Mountain Auto Parts. I've been told that the owner is a great engine builder, but takes a long time to get things done.