SPICA Belt Assistance

[alfacybersite <acs@domain.elided>]

Tom Dennis needs to install a new Spica belt in his '77 Alfetta GT.

*********

First, it is so refreshing to hear of those individuals working on their
Alfetta GT's...rather than parting them out or crushing them.

Keep it up, and we might end up with a full dozen actually running in
various parts of the known world.

Again being lazy, line up gears as outlined in a post in #561. It sounds
right. I have several belt replacement instructions and it would be very
easy to get the timing 180 degrees off depending on which instructions
one uses. Apparently they'll run that way, just not as well.

So, I'm staying out of the timing part.

Generally when I install new belts, the engine is on a stand. So I'm
forgetting if the belt can be threaded through from the bottom. Again,
you're on your own. Shouldn't have to remove any more than the air
cleaner, assuming someone has conveniently removed the belt's cover. I
always put the cover on engines that come to me with them missing, but
few of these cars will be driven all that much.

About the only thing I can really add is to use silicone rubber grease
on the toothed portion of the belt when trying to 'pry' it over the
toothed gears on the pump and crank pulley. The quotes around pry mean
that you should use your hands Only and don't get tempted to use a
screwdriver or (?).

Barely install it on the cranks gear, then (using a great deal of
patience) do the same on the pumps gear. With the silicone grease, it
will slowly slide on as you work it back and forth (again, with your
hands only).

Do remove any 'bad' grease first from the gears.

I'd be Extremely surprised if a belt would ever fly off, but if this
thought concerns you, slowly rotate the engine once installed and wipe
the grease off with a clean rag.

The grease itself will Not damage the belt.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA

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