1985 aero belt change

[pod4444]

changing my belt on my 85 nb50 aero.never messed with the belt before.any thing i should watch out for or is it pretty simple?

[eliteguy50]

Tighten the variator nut to spec and don't use an impact to drive in on. If you are having problems fitting the belt, spread the rear pulley by hand.

[breaze]

Couple things helpful to me:

1) You'll need to keep the crankshaft from turning when loosening the nut - many ways to do this but I remove the fan cover and fan on the right side and hold the flywheel cover with a strap wrench

2) If you get a little 1/4" to 1/3" wide wedge of wood, you can use it to hold the clutch pulley apart while removing and re-installing the belt - pull the pulley apart and push in the wedge on the side closest to the variator

good luck

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Quoth Breaze:

2) If you get a little 1/4" to 1/3" wide wedge of wood, you can use it to hold the clutch pulley apart while removing and re-installing the belt - pull the pulley apart and push in the wedge on the side closest to the variator

Funny how our habits converge. Lacking a suitable Woodie Wedge, I use a 3/8" ratchet extension. Just spread the pulleys apart using Super-Human Wheel-Strength and stuff it in there. It holds the pulleys apart and gives the belt plenty of slack up front. If you don't do this, there's a 50/50 chance of misaligning the crank splines against those of the steel outer pulley.

This is my current favorite Holder Tool. Filing a couple notches in the jaws allows it to engage the starter teeth firmly. It's just long enough to reach the floor when you apply your wrench to the crank end nut, so it's a no-hands holder. Flip it over and the pins can hold the clutch and the alternator flywheel too.

Rocky Mountain Sports had it for $~22, including shipping.

[TimmyC]

As long as you're in there, you might as well as give the variator/clutch surfaces a scrub/wipe down. I don't know what it is recommended, but I used some paint thinner and a light abrasive pad, making sure to wipe the surfaces clean with water when I was finished. Mine had a light film of oil/grease/belt residue that was causing the belt to slip on occasion. I actually got away with using my old belt after cleaning everything up - it was in fine condition.

[Bear45-70]

As long as you're in there, you might as well as give the variator/clutch surfaces a scrub/wipe down. I don't what it is recommended, but I used some paint thinner and a light abrasive pad, making sure to wipe the surfaces clean with water when I was finished. Mine had a light film of oil/grease/belt residue that was causing the belt to slip on occasion. I actually got away with using my old belt after cleaning everything up - it was in fine condition.

Paint thinner leaves a residue behind. You want to use acetone or isopropyl alcohol. They leave no residue after evaporation.

[TimmyC]

Good call, Bear. Thanks!