Escort alternator installation

I have the 1999 2.0 DOHC model (ZX2). Used the tensioner but didn't seem to give me enough slack. Any ideas or tips?

Are you talking about belt replacement? Title say alternator replacement. You might try the next longer size belt.

compare the numbers on the new belt to the numbers on the belt you took off. As mentioned, you probably have the wrong size.

Its not unusal for a new serpentine belt to be a tight fit when you are installing it the first time. Its like the tensioner only moves enough for you to -barely- be able to get the belt over the last pulley. Once its been on for a few thousand miles, they are much easier to remove/replace. Installing a new serp. belt is one of those jobs that can take 3 hands.

I found that with the right belt, the RIGHT order you put it on the last pulley makes a big difference. So, you may be better off putting the belt on everything including the tensioner but not one flat/smooth pulley. On one of my cars, I put the belt last on the flat idler pulley. Putting it on the tensioner last is NOT an option!!! It's also buried. It's much easier to get the belt on a flat pulley last than a grooved pulley because of the shoulders on the grooved pulley. To be sure you have the right belt, match the old and new up, expecting the old one to be a smidge longer. You can also call back to the store for the right part confirmation too.

Ditto on putting the belt on a smooth idler puller rather than a ribbed serpentine pulley. The last time I put one on I didn't do it this way and had to bump the starter to get the belt on the crank pulley. btw the last 2 or 3 numbers on the belt are the length of it in inches. The last 3 numbers for my 97 are 50.5 Hence 50 and a half inches on length. I believe you could go up half an inch and it would work fine.

You probably bought a Dayco belt that's 1/2" too short for the engine. If I lookup all the belts available for my 1995LX, the Dayco one is 1/2" shorter than all the rest, and it doesn't fit.