Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » GMC A/C belt tensioner advice
GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371250] |
Wed, 29 March 2023 11:36 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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I posted this to the other site a few minutes ago.
I have a 455 and Sanden A/C compressor. I find it a real pain to tighten the v-belt for the compressor. I hate the idea of using a pry bar (not designed for the task) to tighten the belt.
I bought a tensioner from Applied last year and never could figure out how to install it. The directions were very vague. I finally called Nick at Applied and he said it didn’t work for Sandens. I wish the website had mentioned that.
I found in my notes that Gary Bovee had one and the picture from his web page looks like it would fit. I tried to email Gary and the email bounced back. Does anyone know if he is still selling things?
How do you guys tighten A/C compressor belts?
As an aside, I bought an alternator belt tensioner from Applied and it works.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
[Updated on: Wed, 29 March 2023 11:37] Report message to a moderator
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371252 is a reply to message #371250] |
Wed, 29 March 2023 14:50 |
JohnS
Messages: 126 Registered: December 2014 Location: Vacaville, CA
Karma: -2
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If you got the Sanden adapter from Applied, there is a 3/8 (or maybe 1/2) inch square hole in the forward part of the bracket in which the correct size breaker bar can be inserted. Use a cheater pipe on that if you need more leverage. At least mine is that way.
John Shutzbaugh, Vacaville, CA, ncserv@aol.com;
78 Buskirk stretch, "What were we thinking?"
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371253 is a reply to message #371252] |
Wed, 29 March 2023 18:34 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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JohnS wrote on Wed, 29 March 2023 15:50If you got the Sanden adapter from Applied, there is a 3/8 (or maybe 1/2) inch square hole in the forward part of the bracket in which the correct size breaker bar can be inserted. Use a cheater pipe on that if you need more leverage. At least mine is that way.
Thanks for the response.
I don't have the Sanden adapter. My Sanden mounts the same way as the original GM compressor mounted which means no square hole to work with.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371254 is a reply to message #371253] |
Wed, 29 March 2023 19:33 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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I have a Sanden and we found using a large (1" thick) pry bar we could get it tight. I also use a belt tension gauge to set the tension.
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371256 is a reply to message #371254] |
Fri, 31 March 2023 08:50 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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boybach wrote on Wed, 29 March 2023 20:33I have a Sanden and we found using a large (1" thick) pry bar we could get it tight. I also use a belt tension gauge to set the tension.
Your pry bar must be heavy. I don't have anything that thick, but I do have an assortment of carpentry pry bars. I have one that is 42" long and was what I have been using. I can get quite a bit of leverage when using a long pry bar. It seems rather lame that we have to resort to such things.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371257 is a reply to message #371256] |
Fri, 31 March 2023 11:20 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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The fellow I share shop space with maintains a Western Star crane truck with a Caterpillar engine, all his tools are BIG! (A crow bar would work too)
If you don't have a thick pry bar handy, you can add a hard wooden block to reduce the gap for the pry bar to operate within.
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
[Updated on: Fri, 31 March 2023 11:23] Report message to a moderator
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371258 is a reply to message #371250] |
Fri, 31 March 2023 13:56 |
skip2
Messages: 544 Registered: September 2011 Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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I have a sandem compressor from applied and the bracket they sent with it had a, I believe 3/8, drive hole to adjust it with.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371259 is a reply to message #371258] |
Sat, 01 April 2023 13:14 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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skip2 wrote on Fri, 31 March 2023 14:56I have a sandem compressor from applied and the bracket they sent with it had a, I believe 3/8, drive hole to adjust it with.
Skip Hartline
Thanks for the response.
I don't have the Sanden adapter. My Sanden mounts the same way as the original GM compressor mounted which means no square hole to work with.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371260 is a reply to message #371250] |
Mon, 03 April 2023 08:52 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447 Registered: October 2006 Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Here is what I have done with A6, might work with Sanden. Unorthodox but… I take the largest Channel locs I have and open them all the way. I wrap a bit of tape on the one open handle end as a cushion and wedge the end under compressor. Using tool fully open apply pressure to opposite handle to get desired tension. I then take duct tape and tie off the top handle to the hatch opening aluminum. This holds the tension while I snug bolts top and bottom. Hey, it worked.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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Re: GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371262 is a reply to message #371260] |
Mon, 03 April 2023 13:00 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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JohnL455 wrote on Mon, 03 April 2023 09:52Here is what I have done with A6, might work with Sanden. Unorthodox but… I take the largest Channel locs I have and open them all the way. I wrap a bit of tape on the one open handle end as a cushion and wedge the end under compressor. Using tool fully open apply pressure to opposite handle to get desired tension. I then take duct tape and tie off the top handle to the hatch opening aluminum. This holds the tension while I snug bolts top and bottom. Hey, it worked.
The basic shape of the Sanden seems similar to the AC6. I don't see any reason why your technique would not work. I have a pretty big channel lock, so I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tip,
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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