Drive Belt Change?

[jbruno72]

Well, My 97 SHO has issues. I think their is a bad coil and perhaps a cam issue in the future.

Because of this, I hadn't driven it in a while. The other day I went to start it up and just get it up in the driveway.

I had to jump it but then noticed smoke. The engine belt was smoking and began to fray.

I would like to change the belt.

How hard is this and is there a tutorial?

Thank you,

 

[SHOZ123]

You need a 3/8" long extension and a 3/8" breaker bar, or at least something like that.

To remove, jack and support the passenger side. To make things easier remove the wheel. Stick the 3/8" extension into the square hole on the tensioner (just forward from the alternator) and push towards the rear (I think). Once it is up take the belt off, then release the tensioner.

Putting it back on is a bit tricky, I loop it all around then leave the alternator for last when you again have the tensioner pushed up.

 

[Ian Macoomb]

It's not a very hard job if you ask me. And I turn every job into a hard job. As long as you have the right size belt and a helper it's like a 10 minute job even for a guy like me.

 

[jbruno72]

Boy, that's a lot of pulleys

 

[Silvapain]

Four drive pulleys, three idler pulleys, and one tensioner.

You may have to use a long screwdriver or a straightened out coathanger to get the belt around the #9 idler pulley, but other than that it's pretty easy. However, I put a gator-back belt on recently and I found out that they are just slightly shorter than standard belts on the V8, and it can be hard to get the new belt around the tensioner.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Check to make sure your alternator isn't locked up. That could be why the belt cooked.

 

[Ict_Lx]

Check to make sure your alternator isn't locked up. That could be why the belt cooked.

Sorry to dig up the past but my 98' just did the same thing. It's been sitting for awhile in the driveway awaiting me to have time to finish the ABS module and replace brakes, etc. I finished everything up this afternoon and started her up. There was a pretty bad squeel and instant smoke. I can't tell exactly where it's coming from but all of the stuff up high appears to be spinning. Is a frozen alternator pulley the most likely culprit? Thanks.

 

[SHOZ123]

Well seeing as you need a new belt now I would take the one you have off and see what is not turning