Alternator Belt Adjustment on a Late Bus

[wagohn]

Hello all,

We just replaced the alternator belt on our 76. Taking off the old one is easy enough and then refitting, however, what's the trick to getting tension on the belt?
We realize we want a little play on the belt but the only way to get tension/move the alternator was to stick the handle of a screwdriver in the hole above the Allen screw adjuster and use very inadequate/awkward leverage.
We feel there must be a trick/tool for putting leverage on the alternator. You cant grab it with your hands and there's no obvious place to apply a leverage bar, so what's the trick?

Thanks!
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1976 VW Transporter, 2.0 FI Engine

[dodger tom]

i loosen the bolt on the upper adjustment (slotted) bracket, and loosen the nut on the bottom bracket. pry the alternator according to colin’s diagram, tighten the adjustment bolt, and tighten the nut on the bottom bracket.

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1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled.

[wagohn]

[bsairhead]

5/8 deflection on type 4 motors. Never had an issue using a ratchet and correct bit or socket getting it tight enough with my hands. It helps to put the belt on using the way it came out of the cardboard sleeve to your advantage.

[Wildthings]

Lots of ways to do this, you can lightly tighten the allen screw and then tap the allen wrench with a hammer to move the screw in the slot. You can also take a crescent wrench and adjust it to fit one of the spokes in the rear of the alternator housing and then apply force to the wrench to move the alternator.

[wagohn]

[oscarsnapkin]

I find this works well. Just have to be careful not to let the pry bar slip inside the alternator.

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- 1977 CEI Sunroof Bus 2.0L F.I. Hydraulic Lifters
- 1973 Thing

"It’s so easy to laugh, it’s so easy to hate, it takes strength to be gentle and kind."