C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 04:59 PM
  #1  
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Default Seemingly easy question

There are no stupid questions remember?

That said I cannot get my serp belt on the 96. I've taken out the idler arm and I still can't get the belt over all the pulleys. So I wanted to unbolt the Alternator to give me more room but I can't figure out what size allen wrench the bolt takes. 6MM too small, 7mm too large, 1/4 too small, 5/16 too big.

I'm stuck, any ideas?
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 05:05 PM
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Do you have the right belt, are you routing it correctly?




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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 05:24 PM
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Do not remove or loosen anything to get the belt on. Either you have the wrong belt size, or you are not extending the tensioner enough
Make sure that:
- Put the idler arm back on before installing belt
- Remove air bellows from Throttle body
- Remove connector from Water Pump temp. sensor (be careful not to break this while moving the tensioner)
-The belt grooves are seated correctly in the harmonic balancer pully and all other grooved pullys.
- You are "pulling" the tensioner as far as it will go to give enough slack in the belt
-You route belt as per the diagram and slip it over the alternator pully last. Put some dish soap around the outter perimeter of the alt. pully to help the belt "slip" on. There will be some work to slip it over the pully, but not much. Put the belt in the sun for 1/2 hour if it is new.


Last edited by MikeC4; Sep 1, 2008 at 05:31 PM.
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:17 AM
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I'm routing it as the picture shows? I forgot about the soap trick I'll give that a shot. Thanks
SVX
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 11:24 AM
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i would definitely make sure you have the right belt, because as long as you get the tensioner fully extended you should have no problem slipping the belt on
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 09:25 PM
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When I recently replaced mine, I had a hard time getting it over the alternator pulley lip. It was easier for me to slip it over the edge of the PS pulley and walk it on.
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Ed Ramberger
When I recently replaced mine, I had a hard time getting it over the alternator pulley lip. It was easier for me to slip it over the edge of the PS pulley and walk it on.


I go over the AC compressor pulley last.

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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 09:35 PM
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Okay guys, I got it on. I had to pry the thing over the alternator with a screw driver. I still find it
hard to believe it is this tight but it was the same length as the old one so it must be.

I find it interesting that this was the last step in replacing the spark plugs and wires and yet it
became the most difficult. But she's running like a top now.

I still would like to know what size wrench is required to get the alternator off, just for when I
need to replace it. If anyone knows?

Thanks for all the help, SVX
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 09:42 PM
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I don't remember the exact size, bought a set of three torx sockets for brake calipers.
I think it was the middle sized one that worked on my alternator.
I'm pretty sure the big one works for the seat belt bolts.
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Old Sep 3, 2008 | 06:48 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by SVXr
Okay guys, I got it on. I had to pry the thing over the alternator with a screw driver. I still find it
hard to believe it is this tight but it was the same length as the old one so it must be.

I find it interesting that this was the last step in replacing the spark plugs and wires and yet it
became the most difficult. But she's running like a top now.

I still would like to know what size wrench is required to get the alternator off, just for when I
need to replace it. If anyone knows?

Thanks for all the help, SVX
I had a similar problem with I installed my last new belt. It was unbelievable tight and had to use a screwdriver also….against my better judgment because you can damage to edges of the belt. I had that darn tensioner pulled down full. It was a real effort and then success finally.
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Old Sep 3, 2008 | 11:22 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by SVXr
I still would like to know what size wrench is required to get the alternator off, just for when I
need to replace it. If anyone knows?

Thanks for all the help, SVX
torx T-50

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