I’ve driven home 10 miles with a frozen alternator on my 300d using a shoe string to turn the water pump after I cut off the belts .


I learned this trick in desperation when I threw a water pump/alternator belt on a Volkswagen in the middle of nowhere during my cross country move in the 1990’s.

I just happened to have shoe laces in my glove compartment at time. It is now a must for my emergency kit.

These are pics back in 2007 when I had the problem.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

My type of luck (lack of) would not allow this type of McGuiver.

more so about the double belts and the screwed design--- After managing to get scrap wood between the framerail so I could get some leverage--- as far in as the damn alternator would go--is at the point where the alternator fan is hitting the top bracket, So as far a spinning the wheel trying to help the belt on --That aint happening. Or using a flat tip screwdriver like a tire iron trying to help it on---- after 2 hrs trying --You muddle thru getting the outer one on,, NO WAY you could get an inner one on first to run doubles!

Wow, can I commiserate.

The '84 is identical.

I've tried to purchase some 1005mm belts to attempt to get them on without removing the fan. Not only did it not work, but the 1005's were of a different configuration and only lasted six months. The section width was less than the 1000's.

So, I go to replace the 1005's and I snap the tensioning bolt because I don't put a wrench on the forward side and the counter torque snaps the threads right off.

Finally get back to it about four months later and it takes three hours to carefully remove the fan, remove the p/s belt, remove the a/c belt, install the the two alternator belts, install the fan, install the the a/c belt, install the p/s belt.

I agree..........it's the absolute biggest PITA that I have ever seen. A mechanic would need $300. in labor to change the alternator belts on the latest models of SD.

Yea ,,And I can commisurate more. the spare engines at the house were another 85 d motor an 84 sd motor and another 84 d, i had to snag the belts from the 85--go thru all the bull $_het and of course --
The belts now SCREECH like a Banshee when taking off from a stop

I have the same thing..........fairly sure the tension needs to be increased a bit. I bought a gauge for that purpose..........need to check it out.

I SOOOOO like my 82's configuration...
I now have an 85... and the first thing I'm going to do to it, is cut off all the belts, and install a set... I'll put it on video and see where it goes.
I've only got an 8GB card in the camera... how many hours will it take?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

You save a bit of time if you cutoff the old belts. But, even you won't be able to get the entire job done in less than two hours. Unless you've developed some special procedure, the R&R of the fan takes at least 45 minutes itself. There is just no easy way to get the screws installed and tightened. It's maddening.

The a/c belt positively will not install without using the engine to get it into place. Wind the belt onto the pulleys as tight as you can get it and then bump the starter to seat the belt. Then you get to fight with the a/c tensioner...............

I cut the compressor belt--amn thing was leeching power/mileage anyway.

I was thinking of a new setup lastnite--with the Sanden compressor in the stock PS pump location, And a GM PS pump-with the remote resivor--- down where the radial compressor is now.

I saw a 81 NA at a salvage yard a yr or so ago that had a sanden on the PS-maybe bolted to a york mount,
but that wont work on a Terbeau Deezl

Reinventing the wheel might be quite satisfying, but you'll never get any payback in future time savings when you replace belts. Those two belts still must come off to replace the alternator belts. Unfortunately, the alternator belts will stretch to the limit of the bracket travel far sooner than the belts themselves will be trashed.

My belts are not more than one year old. I tightened the alternator belts this morning and I've only got 1/4" left on the bracket for future tightening.

The new belt gauge works quite well. No more guessing on tension.

This sounds friggin' amazing

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My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD