I need to change all 4 of the belts on my 240. The problem I've run into is how to release the tension on the two belts that are side by side. Can anyone give me some tips?

I've found that more times than not you don't need to loosen the alternator to get any of the belts off.

Assuming you've got A/C and P/S, the first belt you need to remove is the A/C belt. Take the six bolts+nuts off the front part of the pulley, and pop off the front half (making sure you don't loose any of the shims).

If you want to replace the P/S belt, go ahead and loosen the P/S pump adjusting bolts and move the pump appropriately.

Then you'll want to pop off the fan and fan clutch (probably need to remove the fan shroud at the same time as well). With that off, you can just lift the fan pulley up and towards you and that will take the belts off.

Installation is mostly the reverse of removal.

- alex

"Then you'll want to pop off the fan and fan clutch (probably need to remove the fan shroud at the same time as well)."
You don't need to remove the fan to replace belts. The belts fit over the fan as the fan isn't a solid circle. You do however need to loosen the alt and p/s pump.
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans

Thank you everyone for the information. Between your replies and what I've found in the archives I think I have what I need to successfully complete this project. I have a Chilton's car manual and they left a lot to be desired in the section about replacing the belts. The Brickboard is a great resource.

Justin

Your questin gives me to believe that you do not have a shohp or repair manual. If this is the case, have a look on eBay for a Haynes manual. They were running about $5.00 or so. Haynes covers this job for your car pretty well. Especially about the split sheave crank pulley system which you will need to understand on the belt- replacement job.

BTW - the labor to do a timing belt replacement is about 70% same as the four other belts. Why not combine the jobs?

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

loosen the alternator upper bolt...
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i prefer non-german cars

Loosening the upper bolt on the alternator will release the tension on the two belts as well as the alternator belt?

The two belts "side by side" are the Alternator belts. They also drive the fan/waterpump pulley. I don't know of any other side by side belts.

To get alternator loose enough to move for belt tensioning, you may also need to loosen the pivot bolt underneath (13mm nut at the rear).

Be careful of wrenches near the Alternator terminals. Remove the Battery Negative cable to be safe.
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Bruce Young,
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.