Belt Tensioner Removal

[XfireZ51]

Anybody got a tip on removing tensioner while in the car? Its a b*tch to get to. Removed airhorn for better access, plus gap between it and compressor did not alllow for belt removal. I have a chirping sound that follows engine speed. I undid the belt today and got no noise running the motor but no accessory drives.
Is it necessary to remove the evap canister and coolant crossover in order to get a grip on undoing bolt? I get a "click click" from tensioner as I spin it w my finger altho it spins smoothly. But I can hear the bearing. All other accessories make no noise. Very slight wobble in alternator pulley. Belt had a small chunk of one of the ribs missing.

[KPW]

You're most of the way there, air horn off and a ratcheting box wrench (low profile is key here).

Space is at a high premium in the front of the LT5...


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[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by KPW

You're most of the way there, air horn off and a ratcheting box wrench (low profile is key here).

Space is at a high premium in the front of the LT5...


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Tell me about the premium space. But it seems that there is significant torque on that bolt and I'm going to need more leverage on the box end wrench than I can get. Maybe a pipe that fits over the end of the wrench. Breaker bar isn't going to fit in there.

[KPW]

I'm a fan of the pipe extension breaker conversion

I will say that in putting it back on you should be able to tighten it enough with the wrench, but not so much as to need anything crazy to get it back off in the future.


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[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by KPW

I'm a fan of the pipe extension breaker conversion

I will say that in putting it back on you should be able to tighten it enough with the wrench, but not so much as to need anything crazy to get it back off in the future.


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The FSM calls for 45lbft. This feels like significantly more.

[Paul Workman]

FWIW, if you can't find the stock ZR-1 tensioner pulley, I am using one for an LT1 motor: it's flat, i.e, sans the ridges on the sides of the pulley.

At the time, I bought it over the counter from a local Chevy dealer.

[XfireZ51]

My understanding Paul is that u can use a LT1 pulley to rebuild the LT5 pulley.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

My understanding Paul is that u can use a LT1 pulley to rebuild the LT5 pulley.

I suppose you could gut an LT1 pulley for the bearings, but the LT1 works just fine w/o the guide ridges. Why bother? (You can't see it anyway!).

Sent you a picture:

Using a ratchet, box-end wrench, it is possible to access the 18mm bolt on the tensioner, WITHOUT moving/removing the A/C evap., nor is un-hooking one end of the coolant cross-over pipe necessary. Furthermore, removing the air-horn is optional, and if you can avoid removing it, so much the better.

Oh, it is tight; the front of an LT5. But, you should be able to do the tensioner w/o drastic measures (e.g., a pipe on the box-end wrench?)

Cheers!

[A26B]

http://www.jerrysgaskets.com/pulley-...oem-90-95-4e1/

[1971 Judge]

Originally Posted by A26B

http://www.jerrysgaskets.com/pulley-...oem-90-95-4e1/

Just bought one from your site, Jerry!