88 tc belt replacement

[john4788]

i can replace the one belt thats runs the alt. and pwr steering quite easily by just loosening the alt. However, it's the belt from the a/c that i can't see how to loosen. any suggestions? I'm not familiar with town car's. I bought this one about 4 months ago for $300 and i'm fixing it up.

[ctesla]

john,
on the serpentine that runs the A/C, is there a tensioner pulley?
if so, odds are it is like a 13-15mm wrench will fit on the center bolt through that pulley set up, and once 'cranked/turned' with pressure, will give enough slack to allow the belt to fall off, and be changed.

hope this helps,
ctesla

[john4788]

Thanks for the help. There is actually a pulley there but it appears to be fixed?? I can look again and see. I knew that most cars use a tensioner so that was one of the first things i looked for. The only obvious pulley was the 'fixed' one. I'll check again. Thanks.

[SUERED]

I will relay what my '89 TC is (as best I can recall). Below the the AC compressor there is a pulley mounted on a triangular (actually like a pie slice) metal plate that acts as a tensioner. You must loosen this plate by loosening 2 bolts. In order to tension the belt, you insert a 3/8" ratchet (likely with small extension on end) into the square opening which is seen on the metal plate--this then allows you to leverage the plate into position to tighten the belt. To see this, get under the engine and look for this just up around the air pump. It is an ackward job more than being difficult.

[john4788]

Excellent!! I saw the pulley originally and saw a bolt but didn't see the second one. I'll get under the car and see if I can spot it. Thanks!

[kenc195]

Originally Posted by john4788

Excellent!! I saw the pulley originally and saw a bolt but didn't see the second one. I'll get under the car and see if I can spot it. Thanks!

Did you ever find the second bolt? I am having the exact same problem

[john4788]

Originally Posted by kenc195

Did you ever find the second bolt? I am having the exact same problem

I found the second bolt. It's directly behind that pulley. You'll need to reach under and behind the a/c compressor and you should be able to feel it. I'm not sure what size socket you'll need but you loosen that up with the one on front and it comes right loose. To tighten it back up, you'll need a 3/4 inch ratchet with extension. Just slip the end of the ratchet into the square hole on front of that tensioner plate and put some pressure on it while tighening the 2nd bolt. I'm not real good at giviing directions but hopefully this will get you in the right direction.