From the Workshop Manual:

5. Detach the accessory drive belt.
1. Rotate the accessory drive belt tensioner counter-clockwise
1. Use a 3/8 inch square drive bar to rotate the accessory drive
belt tensioner.
2. Detach the accessory drive belt

6. Reposition the accessory drive belt tensioner.
1. Loosen the accessory drive belt tensioner retaining bolt.
2. Reposition the accessory drive belt tensioner.

7. Remove the accessory drive belt.

I don't get Step 6. Why and where do you reposition it?

 

It just means let it return to it's 'resting' position.

 

It's just a standard spring loaded belt tensioner, nothing fancy. One thing that helps with the SC belt is removing the two little nuts holding the radiator fan bracket and having someone hold that up about an inch or two while you get the breaker bar in the square hold on the SC belt tensioner.

 

Thanks - That's what I thought but why loosen the bolt?

 

Not sure what operation the list is taken from - is it the supercharger belt replacement? If so, the pivot bolt has to be loosened and then retightened according to the service manual (I don't have a supercharger, so don't have first-hand experience).

 

Not the SC Belt. The Accessory Drive Belt.
Either way, what's the reason for loosening and retightening the pivot bolt?

 

It looks like the intention is that by loosening the pivot bolt, the tensioner assembly locating pegs can be pulled clear to allow the whole thing to be rotated anticlockwise.

I can't find a picture of the front of the 4.2 motor:- is this to give more room to remove the belt since it passes behind the tensioner arm on the later cars?

 

Pete, they're just describing how to remove or install the belt.

BTW you'll probably find you need put an extension (longer lever=more force) on the wrench to take the pressure off the pivot nut, almost all of us have but only 10% will admit it (ha ha).

John

 

I have one of these. Plenty of leverage.

 

Looks good Pete. Gotta love physics. Now dont forget to grab a diagram that shows belt routing. My hat's off to anyone who could correctly replace it by eyeballing it.

John

 

Finally got "a round tuit". The answer to my original question about "repositioning" the tensioner is . . .
Just to move it away from the engine block to give you more room to remove the belt from behind the pulley.
Really easy with the fan assembly removed.