Drive Belt Replacement Help - Gen 1 MTX

[scotc1t]

Hi, trying to replace the drive belts on my Gen 1 MTX. Alternator belt is easy enough, but I don't see how to access the adjusting screw to do the power steering belt. It seems like there are possibly two options: 1. Removing engine mount/damper that is directly in the way or 2. Jacking up car and accessing via passenger fender well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am not well versed on working on the engine on this car as I am used to older V8's where belt work is much easier. Thank you very much in advance.

1990 White MTX 105K miles - All stock except SHO Shop underdrive pulley kit and Thunderbird 5 spoke wheels.

 

[zoomlater]

Shosource made a tool that allows you to get to the adjusting hex bolt on the tensioner. it should give you an idea how many extensions you might need to get to the tensioner.

Belt Tensioning Tool (89-95) MTX

If you have worked on a 1989-1995 MTX SHO very much you probably have had to remove or replace the accessory belts. The belts are held in tension by manual tensioners. To release or increase tension, you slightly loosen the nut on the tensioner pulley and then use a 5mm hex key to turn the...

shosource.com

 

[scotc1t]

Shosource made a tool that allows you to get to the adjusting hex bolt on the tensioner. it should give you an idea how many extensions you might need to get to the tensioner.

Belt Tensioning Tool (89-95) MTX

If you have worked on a 1989-1995 MTX SHO very much you probably have had to remove or replace the accessory belts. The belts are held in tension by manual tensioners. To release or increase tension, you slightly loosen the nut on the tensioner pulley and then use a 5mm hex key to turn the...

shosource.com

Awesome. Thank you very much for the tip!

 

[Devin]

I use a hex bit on a really long 1/4" extension.

 

[BaySHO Performance]

Hi, trying to replace the drive belts on my Gen 1 MTX. Alternator belt is easy enough, but I don't see how to access the adjusting screw to do the power steering belt. It seems like there are possibly two options: 1. Removing engine mount/damper that is directly in the way or 2. Jacking up car and accessing via passenger fender well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am not well versed on working on the engine on this car as I am used to older V8's where belt work is much easier. Thank you very much in advance.

1990 White MTX 105K miles - All stock except SHO Shop underdrive pulley kit and Thunderbird 5 spoke wheels.

Remove the end tank with the DIS and unbolt the power steering reservoir and swing it out of the way behind the intake. I use a bungee cord around the far hood strut to keep it out of the way. Then buy one of these:

Belt Tensioning Tool (89-95) MTX

If you have worked on a 1989-1995 MTX SHO very much you probably have had to remove or replace the accessory belts. The belts are held in tension by manual tensioners. To release or increase tension, you slightly loosen the nut on the tensioner pulley and then use a 5mm hex key to turn the...

shosource.com

or use a 5mm socket on a couple of long 1/4" extension bars.

 

[scotc1t]

I use a hex bit on a really long 1/4" extension.

Thanks Devin!

 

[scotc1t]

Remove the end tank with the DIS and unbolt the power steering reservoir and swing it out of the way behind the intake. I use a bungee cord around the far hood strut to keep it out of the way. Then buy one of these:

Belt Tensioning Tool (89-95) MTX

If you have worked on a 1989-1995 MTX SHO very much you probably have had to remove or replace the accessory belts. The belts are held in tension by manual tensioners. To release or increase tension, you slightly loosen the nut on the tensioner pulley and then use a 5mm hex key to turn the...

shosource.com

or use a 5mm socket on a couple of long 1/4" extension bars.

Thanks Nick! I really appreciate the options. Does anyone know if I will need different belts than stock size since I have the SHO Shop underdrive pulley kit?

 

[BaySHO Performance]

You will need longer belts. I purchased these for a client in 2019. Can't for the life of me figure out where I got them from. It may have been SHO Source. They have 6 rib UDP belts, but not 4 rib.

Such a complete blank on a search for them that I am not sure now that the PNs are correct. No mention of belt PN in the SHO Shop catalog:

4 rib UDP Accessory Belt (Gates) K020553
6 rib UDP Accessory Belt (Gates) K000616

The part number gives pointers to the belt length. For instance, for a car with stock pulleys:
4 Rib Accessory Belt (Dayco) 5040500, 50.0"
6 Rib Accessory Belt (Dayco) 5060450, 45.0"

That works for the Daycos, but doesn't seem right for the Gates. The 4 rib belt would be 55.3" vs stock 50.0" and the 6 rib 61.6" vs stock 45.0". Those seem way too long.