Questions and Answers

Pulsar Belts Q. Hi Vince - I need to put on an alternator belt on a 1987 Nissan Pulsar. The question I have is how do I get at the inside pulley directly below the alternator that the belt must go on?

Currently, there are 2 adjacent pulleys underneath the alternator with the outside pulley having a belt already attached (and going towards the rear of the car). I need to be able to loosen the belt that is there (don't know what it's for), slide it off that pulley, put on the new alternator belt on the inside pulley and then restore that outside belt and tension. It would seem I need to remove the alternator to be able to get at that lower assembly. Is that correct and if so, what bolts do I remove and/or loosen to relieve that belt tension so that I can free up that pulley?

Thanks VERY much for any assistance.

A. You didn't mention if you have the DOHC or the SOHC engine so I'll assume you have the SOHC since that is the more common engine.

The unit below the alternator is the P/S pump. There is a lock bolt and a long adjustment bolt. What you need to do is loosen the top pivot bolts, there is one in front and in back of the pump. Then loosen the lock bolt and turn the adjusting bolt to loosen the pump. You might have to physically push the pump in towards the engine to get the belt off. Once you replace the belts, just tighten the adjusting bolt, tighten the lock and pivot bolts and you're done.

Don't tighten the belt too much. You want to be able to push the belt in about ½" on the long side.