Can't figure out a/c compressor belt reinstallation.

[billfrank85]

How do you do it? I have the right belt size but I'm not sure how the "tensioner/adjustment" assembly works. I see a square for a half inch breaker bar but can't figure out what needs to be loosened to get the belt on. 91 MGM.

[Chuck Norris]

Did you open a beer yet? Because if you haven't, this repair is already doomed to failure.

[billfrank85]

Oops, I figured it out. There's a bolt behind the assembly that needs loosened. Cheers!

[billfrank85]

Haha yeah, this was definitely an "I need a beer" moment.

[87gtVIC]

That bolt is hidden pretty well and if things are grimy under the ac compressor it is easy to miss it.

That bolt threads into the idler assembly. The 1/2" socket slot allows you to manipulate that assembly upwards or downwards depending on how you turn it. The bolt slides within a channel in a rather large flat bracket between the ac compressor and water pump. I believe the lowest point of that bracket bolts the smog pump.

[DerekTheGreat]

This tripped me up too when I had to change mine. Why they didn't just use a tensioner like they did for the other belt is beyond me.

[gadget73]

neither of the accessories on that side really can move. You're not gonna want to lay on the ground to do the air pump and moving the AC lines around is generally just a bad idea. Why its not a spring tensioner is a better question.

[GM_Guy]

Its the transistion era. GM did the same thing. Probably Mopar also. Didn't need tensioners with v-belts, accessories still the same just a different belt that provides better traction. Tensioner is likely more driven by assembly line speed than anything else. No accessories to adjust, just slap 'em on and on to the next station.

Alex.

[DerekTheGreat]

...Why its not a spring tensioner is a better question.

Yeah, that's what I meant, just derped and said tensioner as if they're all the same.

[DerekTheGreat]

Its the transistion era. GM did the same thing. Probably Mopar also. Didn't need tensioners with v-belts, accessories still the same just a different belt that provides better traction. Tensioner is likely more driven by assembly line speed than anything else. No accessories to adjust, just slap 'em on and on to the next station.

Alex.

One belt looks cleaner too. Just look at a fully loaded Chrysler with it's usual twin v belt set-up. So much rubber it might as well be a bondage party under the hood.

[gadget73]

Not as bad as late 1970's stuff. Ever look under the hood of a fully loaded GM product from that time with all the V belts? Good lord. There is also a specific sequence of belt installation and tightening otherwise you will not get it to work correctly.

[DerekTheGreat]

They were all pretty bad. My Fury just has two since it's a poverty car. Would only have one but the guy who ordered it felt power steering was worth the extra cost.

[Chuck Norris]

They were all pretty bad. My Fury just has two since it's a poverty car. Would only have one but the guy who ordered it felt power steering was worth the extra cost.

You have a Fury? Direct me to some pic, please! I love old school Mopar!

[DerekTheGreat]

You have a Fury? Direct me to some pic, please! I love old school Mopar!

Yessir, I'll upload some here. Not sure if I should create a thread for it in the darkside.

[Chuck Norris]

Billfrank, I apologize for instigating a thread-jack, but Dereks Fury was worth it! Awesome, beautiful car! Now back to our regularly scheduled program.