96 Serpentine belt change

[Jim S.]

I need to replace the serpentine belt on my 1996 LT1 but don't have the service manual instructions to get the job done correctly. Any help to do the job right will be appreciated.

A benefit will be the chance to see the numbers on the bottom of the alternator arm.

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: 96 Serpentine belt change

I need to replace the serpentine belt on my 1996 LT1 but don't have the service manual instructions to get the job done correctly. Any help to do the job right will be appreciated.

A benefit will be the chance to see the numbers on the bottom of the alternator arm.

Jim

Jim-----

I believe there's a belt routing diagram in the engine compartment. Other than that, as I recall there's a 1/2" drive orifice on the belt tensioner. Use a 1/2" drive breaker bar to rotate the tensioner down, remove the belt and install the new one per the diagram.

[Keith B.]

Re: 96 Serpentine belt change

Joe I have tired using a breaker bar on the belt tensioner on my 94 LT1 with no luck. I bought one of these cheap auto parts store serpentine belt wrench and that works great. that is much thinner then a breaker bar. Something I leaned is that if you unplug the plug the front of the water pump you will not break the sensor off like I did when trying to replace the belt.

[Jim S.]

Re: 96 Serpentine belt change

Thanks Keith. I just happen to have one of those cheap parts store tools - haven't used it in many years. I'll be sure to watch the plug on the water pump.

Jim

[Mike S.]

Re: 96 Serpentine belt change

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Try this
1. Using a suitable socket and handle on tensioner pulley bolt, lift tensioner upward in the clockwise direction, then remove serpentine drive belt, Fig. 21.
2. Reverse procedure to install. Ensure belt tension indicator marks are within limit lines on belt tensioner indicator.

[Joe L.]

Re: 96 Serpentine belt change

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Try this
1. Using a suitable socket and handle on tensioner pulley bolt, lift tensioner upward in the clockwise direction, then remove serpentine drive belt, Fig. 21.
2. Reverse procedure to install. Ensure belt tension indicator marks are within limit lines on belt tensioner indicator.

Mike-----


That's what I forgot! It's the tensioner pulley bolt and not the square drive fitting on the tensioner.

[Jim S.]

Re: 96 Serpentine belt change

I used the cheap parts store tool with a 16mm 3/8th socket and replaced the belt with no trouble. What I found during the process was the correct part number on the alternator, stenciled on the bottom of the alternator arm (not where the manual says it is supposed to be) with a valid date code. Now all I have to do is convince Tom Barr that is correct for the 1996 LT1's. At least the late cars.

Jim

[Jim T.]

Re: 96 Serpentine belt change

Jim, just curious, what was wrong with the belt you replaced?

[Jim S.]

Re: 96 Serpentine belt change

I still had the original belt (16+years old). There were cracks visable and no markings left. The replacement is new and has the correct part number, although I don't expect that to last too long. I also wanted to get a look at the underside of the alternator to find the part number (which the manual indicates is on the top side of the alternator). For my car, it was just as expected (number and date) but on the bottom of the alternator. With a mirror I could see that there were characters there, but could not read them. With the belt off I was able to flip the alternator up and get a good look and a few pictures for Tom Barr.

Jim