Tentioning my Belts after replacing a water pump

[kevoisevil]

I have been trying to figure out how to get the proper tention in my 305 V-Belt system. Could someone possibly give me some pointers or point me in the right direction? This is my first time trying to work on a truck and I have no idea what i am doing.

[kevoisevil]

Thank you to anyone who can help!!!

[tucsonjwt]

At least you picked nice weather to work on your truck up there.
There are lots of rules of thumb on the proper tension for the belts. I just tighten them until the squealing stops, because I have a smog pump and 454 big block which requires a lot of tightening. There should be some give in the belts but not much - maybe 1/2" max. If the alternator belt is tight enough to not squeal and charges the battery - that is good.
Are you asking about how to route the belts over the various pulleys, and how to move the attachments (alternator, power steering pump, a/c compressor)? If so, please post back and we can provide specifics. Each accessory has one adjustment bolt and one "locking" bolt - loosen both bolts to move the accessory, then tighten the bolts to secure in place.
Good luck.

[gchemist]

Small crow bar or large screw driver. Use a long handle socket. You can do it without some help but you have be coordinated!!

[kevoisevil]

i was kind of confused on the belts when i bought them, but they had the belt numbers still visible on the old ones so it was ok. a buddy of mine told me to use a pry bar to reset them, so i was going to try that in the morning. GREAT weather for this kinda stuff haha. im totally new to this and figured its something im interested in so why not give it a shot. i loosened the alternator, ac, and ps. If I was to use a pry bar would that do damage?

[kevoisevil]

Thanks Gchem, I am going to have to try that tomorrow. It is 7 o'clock here and still 114 outside so im calling it quits for the day.

[tucsonjwt]

I use the straight end of a stock tire iron, if you have one.
Be careful where you put the end of the pry bar to get leverage.
There is a hole in the top of the alternator bracket you can use to wedge back against the alternator. Go easy and make sure that you are clear of any electrical or hoses. The alternator moves easy and the adjustment bolt is right on top so it adjusts easy.
The a/c compressor, if you have one, is more involved. You have a bolt to loosen of the very bottom in the back which is hard to reach. You lever against the engine block but be careful because there may be emissions lines against the manifold which can be bent/broken easily. There is really only one spot to lever against down there and you will see it when you stick the pry bar down toward the front of the engine. You may need help to do the a/c compressor - one to pry the compressor outward and one to tighten the bolts.
The power steering pump does not require a lot of force to tighten up, just make sure you are careful where you stick the end of the bar to lever against the pump. The pump is just a sheet metal housing so it dents easily - be gentle down there.
If you have a smog pump it is more difficult to tension the belts because the pump adds another pulley to the mix and it is more difficult to properly tension multiple pulleys at different angles.
As I mentioned above, tighten hard, then loosen to get a little slack - easier than creeping up on proper adjustment bit by bit.

[gchemist]

First, pull the belt accessory by hand until it's as tight as you can pull it. Tighten down on the bolt just a little so it does not give slack. Insert the bar/screw drive and pull again. The accesory should move just a little more. Tighten down the bolts so the belt stays tight.

[sumran]

All advice above is good. Keep in mind that the alternator belt can be too tight. Excess tension will wear the bushings on the alternator. Too loose is far more common than too tight but it is good to know that tighter is not always better. I also use the 1/2" movement as a guide on V-belts.

[kevoisevil]

You guys rule!!! its almost time to start on the truck because its dark and cooler out. 5:00am and its 90 degrees already.

[tucsonjwt]

Too tight belts can damage the water pump also, but you may find that 1/2" of deflection causes the belts to squeal, especially if you have a smog pump. So, tighten until no squeal and when you look at the engine running at idle the belts appear to be moving with no visible vibration/hopping around. Unless you have gorilla arms you are not likely to overtighten, but it is possible. My problem is always not being able to get them tight enough - levering with one hand and tightening with the other hand, especially the A/C compressor. The last time I had my truck in for A/C recharge I saw two plus size guys working on tightening the A/C compressor and they were working up quite a sweat doing it. The shop owner said a 454 with smog pump was a two man job to tighten the A/C compressor.