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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Alt. belt thrown

Posted by: spiritedTreiber Apr 20 2005, 12:50 AM

Just bought a '75 1.8 a couple days ago, so I am fairly new the car. It threw the belt off. So I am now wondering what tools I will need. I am also wondering if there are any tips anyone can give me. Ive been workin on Bugs for years, so mechanical knowledge is no problem. Just lookin for a little help with the new car. Thanks in advance!

Posted by: davep Apr 20 2005, 06:56 AM

You need a metric Allen key (probably 8mm) to loosen the socket head cap screw on the adjuster. Loosen adjuster, put new belt on, then tighten adjuster with proper belt tension. I'd be wondering if the pulley's were properly aligned.

Posted by: skline Apr 20 2005, 07:27 AM

I have installed belts on the road without any tools. Just get it as far as you can on and then hit the key, make sure your hand is not in there though. Just have to make sure you are going the right direction.

Posted by: spiritedTreiber Apr 20 2005, 10:55 AM

Ill be sure to check the pulley alignment. How do you tension the belt though? Do you just move the alt., hold it in position and then tighten the bolt down?

Posted by: Dave_Darling Apr 20 2005, 12:53 PM

That's pretty much how you do it. Move the alternator to loop the belt around it, shove the alt back toward the outside, and tighten the pinch bolt.

Or do the "no tools required" method, as outlined here. I have also heard of people pushing the car with the transmission in gear to rotate the engine and slip the belt on.

--DD

Posted by: davep Apr 20 2005, 02:22 PM

If the belt gets thrown, then the belt may be bad, the tension may be bad, or the alignment may be bad.

If you loosen the alt to adjust the tension, then you may find that the alt is too loose, thus it could become mis-aligned. This can happen when the alt case mount wears out too much from being loose. Belt tension is about 1" deflection in the center of the span when pressing down with fair pressure. Recheck the tension in a few hundred miles. New belts do stretch.

Posted by: spiritedTreiber Apr 20 2005, 04:05 PM

its all fixed now. the PO didnt know(or just didnt mention) that the lower bolt was completely missing! it had been gone for some time too. the bracket was all rusty where the head should have been. put in a new bolt and everything is good. and now im off to replace the charging system light. thank you all again for the help.