serp belt hard to replace
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serp belt hard to replace
91 F150 v8 302 - pulled the old belt off no problem. When I put the new one on, it wouldn't fit. Took it back to the store, they gave me a new one. Same thing when I tried to put it on. Tried to put the old one back on, and it won't fit either. Even took the tensioner off, and the belt just won't go over the last pulley (about 1/2" too short). I have the routing diagram and have tried this a dozen times today, and each time it's the same. I've done this before without a problem. What is going on?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26,898
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From: southern md
you got to have something wrong-if the old belt came off it should go back on-I always double check the belt length-by comparing them when I but em-takes a lot of trips back to the store off my to do list-good luck -recheck the diagram ya got - there are usually two different ways to do it one with and one without a-c
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Nixa
Two things come to mind. The tensioner needs to be pushed way up past 90 degrees from where it normally sits when it's on the belt, a long breaker bar and socket works best. also the altinator should be last pully to put the belt on it's just eaier to manipulate the belt.
The second thing i can think of is the belt might not be fully seated on the lower pully/s like maybe sitting on the outer edge. the edges are 1/8" or better higher the grooves.
The second thing i can think of is the belt might not be fully seated on the lower pully/s like maybe sitting on the outer edge. the edges are 1/8" or better higher the grooves.
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Thanks for the replies. I measured the new belt; it's the same as the old one. It has to be not seating properly somewhere, but damn if I can see where. I've been under the truck and on top several times today. I'll sleep on it tonight and start fresh in the morning.
Posting Guru
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From: Pennsylvania Wilds
If this is your first rodeo, I'd guess you're not moving the tensioner enough. Don't be gentle, it's only a 90 dollar part that you'll have to wait three days to get if you break it. Someone around here has in their signature, "force it, if it breaks, it needed replaced anyway."
But you might want to triple check the diagram, too. One thing to note is that my 95 has a different arrangement than my 87, so that could come into play. Use the diagram on the truck, not the one on the belt wrapper. You really should be able to get it on from above, no need to go under on the 302.
But you might want to triple check the diagram, too. One thing to note is that my 95 has a different arrangement than my 87, so that could come into play. Use the diagram on the truck, not the one on the belt wrapper. You really should be able to get it on from above, no need to go under on the 302.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: McKenzie River
Step back, take a deep breath, and look at the diagram on the under hood sticker, look REAL hard...........If the old one will not go back on, then something in your belt routing is wrong, its got to fit.
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More Turbo
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From: Missouri - Lake of the Oz
cinch your belt...
Try installing onto all of the pulleys in a different sequence. I have found that when it will not install with one pulley as the last then try another. Consider routing it so that the last pulley is either the PS or the AC or even the alt. Do not confine yourself to only trying to install with the tensioner as the last to go on.
dn.
dn.
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Got it. SaikotikGunman was right - the diagram on the package did not match the diagram in the book. I had even made a sketch before I started, but did not notice a slight difference between the 2. Pulled it apart this morning and started over, and it worked first time. Thanks for all the replies.
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Dec 11, 2006 04:05 PM