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GMC A/C belt tensioner advice [message #371250]

Wed, 29 March 2023 11:36

rjw

Messages: 697
Registered: September 2005

Karma: 4

Senior Member

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]

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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

Senior Member

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

Senior Member

JohnS wrote on Wed, 29 March 2023 15:50

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.

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.

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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

Senior Member

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

Senior Member

boybach wrote on Wed, 29 March 2023 20:33

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.

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.

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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

Senior Member

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.

[Updated on: Fri, 31 March 2023 11:23]

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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

Senior Member

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

Senior Member

skip2 wrote on Fri, 31 March 2023 14:56

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

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.

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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

Senior Member

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

Senior Member

JohnL455 wrote on Mon, 03 April 2023 09:52

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.

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,

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