How do I get belt back on after changing impeller???

[JWAT]

I just changed my impeller yesterday and took the belt off before doing it by taking off the belt tensioner. Now that I am going back to put the belt on, I cannot get that tensioner back on to save my life. It's like the belt shrunk an inch! Obviously there has to be a trick to it...can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

[Chexi]

At least on the GT40 and my old 350 merc the hole where the bolt goes is really a slot. You re-bolt it together loose with everything in its narrowest configuration, then you pull the flywheel to tension it while bolting it tight. Helps to have 2 people, but is not necessary. Not sure if this helps you, but hopefully it will. When I take my impeller off, I just loosen that bolt, slide the wheel in enough to take the belt off that part of the wheel (not completely out of the system), change impeller, and put back together. Things may be different on your chevy motor though.

[highrock]

Are you sure you have the belt routed correctly? I did mine last week with no problem and possibly a little room to spare (I am planning to replace the belt in the near future) but thats with about 300 hours on the original belt.

[DanielC]

The belt tensioner will swing one way to slack the belt. It may not be obvious at first, but once you figure it out, it is really simple, and easy.

Usually there is a 1/2 or 3/8 square hole in the tensioner, that you put a ratchet in, and that allows you easily swing the tensioner out of the way, and with the free hand, you put the belt on.

In some cases, it might be easier to put the belt on everything, except an idler pulley, and moving the tensioner with the ratchet gives you enough slack to put the belt on.

[JWAT]

Got it guys, thanks!

[Nautiquehunter]

There is a 5/8 hex in the center of the tensioner pulley use a wrench to move the tensioner to the starboard side of the engine and slip the belt over the pulley.