Ok, I know this may be redundant but after 3 hours and trying any and all ideas, we (yes 2 of us..lol) are at a standstill getting it on. we like 3 mm's get her on the pulley.

The alternator is moved as far as she'll rotate and now up agaisnt engine block...We dont wanna remove fan/shroud etc unless we have to. Its 40 degrees and we are outside...any quick advice on cold Sunday would be tantamount certainly..

The other 2 belts(PS/AC) went without a hitch..burrrrrr cold!!

Dakota

W123 300D china blue "helga" 197K

Are you rolling it on to the water pump pulling or using a screwdriver to pry it over the edge of the pulley?
Don't work fast. You'll get heat stroke at those temperatures.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

We have tried rolling it on with a screwdriver/tire iron end etc. almost anything we could get leverage with..so freaking close to success...I wish it hat now..I get tocome inside and type on this thing at least..I need to drive it to work tomm too..LOL...shoulda left the old belt on..worked fine. I just thought changing them all would be good for the car and me.

Dakota

Sounds like your belt is too small.

Maybe try heating the belt up, it will make it stretch some.

__________________

Interesting idea brother, heat it up...might do the trick...

I was just telling my bro in law it MAY be too small..and could just get the next size up I suppose and be done with it..I will report bakc..THANKS everone, we appreciate any and all feedback coming in

Dakota

The SD suffers from the same malady. It has the later water pump pulley and the short 1000 mm belts. It's impossible to install the belts with the water pump pulley in place. I cannot figure out the issue because the belts are Continental and are exactly to spec.

I had to remove the water pump pulley..........get the belts in the groove...........and reinstall it. Then, tighten the alternator. No fun at all.

I wonder if it's a common problem with the late 617's?

If you did manage to get the belts on; what if they were too tight and there was no way to loosen them? If you ran it like that it would damage the bearings in something; alternator or water pump.
Better to take the time and try and get some slightley larger belts.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I understand that this may be a little late, but, in my experience (which is limited) I had the same problem trying to get the alt. belt on my 240. My solution was to get as much of the belt on the pulley and bumped the starter. All that who ha about heating up the belt was erroneous. Because that belt that appeared to be too small is gonna stretch after a few days of use and then you'll encounter the mystery of the ever self loosening alternator bracket.