AC compressor belt tension

by ant7377 Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:03 am

Any of you guys have a good trick to get a good amount of tension on the AC belt? I've tried prying near the front of compressor between it and the big bracket bolted to the block but can't get it to go and the belt is flopping around. It's on my 73 Monte with 454. All stock stuff.

by zucchi Sat Jul 02, 2022 12:41 pm

The belt on my '74 Monte Carlo, small block flopps around a bit but there's no slipping. If it's not slipping or squealing then don't sweat it. If it is squealing, try some Gaskacinch.
Looking over the shop manual, I would start by loosening the two pivot bolts and the two adjustment bolts. If the compressor doesn't pivot all, you need figure out why. It should pivot easily after loosening those four bolts. You may need to unbolt it completely to fix that. After you've addressed that, pivot the compressor to increase belt tension and tighten the rear adjustment bolt first, then the front, then the pivot bolts.

by ant7377 Sat Jul 02, 2022 2:49 pm

I'm gonna give it a try like that. Tighten rear first. Thank you.

by Mcarlo77 Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:50 am

I bought a fan belt tensioner tool years ago for this reason because I just couldn't get the belt tight enough on my '67 Cougar. Only one like it I could find just now is this one...and, I'm certain I didn't pay anywhere near this much for mine. One of those tools that are seldom used but sure come in handy when you need it. You could wedge it between the a/c compressor body or pulley shaft and another nearby component and tighten it.

https://www.amazon.com/Supco-Belt-Tension-Jack/dp/B008FM8BM4/ref=asc_df_B008FM8BM4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242022160290&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2550720820194726733&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019555&hvtargid=pla-575152475703&psc=1

by ant7377 Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:38 am

I had one years ago and I broke it. I'm gonna check harbor freight maybe they have it. 52 bucks is alot for that.

by ant7377 Mon Jul 04, 2022 7:26 pm

Mcarlo77 wrote:I bought a fan belt tensioner tool years ago for this reason because I just couldn't get the belt tight enough on my '67 Cougar. Only one like it I could find just now is this one...and, I'm certain I didn't pay anywhere near this much for mine. One of those tools that are seldom used but sure come in handy when you need it. You could wedge it between the a/c compressor body or pulley shaft and another nearby component and tighten it.

https://www.amazon.com/Supco-Belt-Tension-Jack/dp/B008FM8BM4/ref=asc_df_B008FM8BM4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242022160290&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2550720820194726733&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019555&hvtargid=pla-575152475703&psc=1

Do you believe I found the tool,thought we broke it.

by Mcarlo77 Tue Jul 05, 2022 2:48 pm

Good to hear...it's a great little tool to have around!

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