tips needed replacing belts and speedometer cable

[that-son]

so i just pulled out the front cover for the instrument gauges just to get an early start.  i actually have some time tomorrow morning to work on the truck.  is there anything i need to know that would make it easier tomorrow?  i have the haynes manual but maybe it skipped something of maybe just assumes something as common knowledge...?  thanks!

[Jeremiah720]

For the belts make sure you can only turn the belt half way with your fingers. Any more then that its too lose if you can barely turn it at all too tight. Your gonna have to finger the rest

[that-son]

thanks. i've never... never mind.  i did remove the shroud today and tried slipping a belt over the fan.  so the belt is in there... just waiting for the pulley now.

[datzenmike]

For the belts make sure you can only turn the belt half way with your fingers. Any more then that its too lose if you can barely turn it at all too tight. Your gonna have to finger the rest

Not following this. Belt is tight when you can push on the belt with your thumb between pulleys and it deflects about 1/2".

 

The 720 speedo un-clips from the back of the dash. It unscrews from the transfer case and has several clips to hold up up out of the way.

[Buzzbomb]

I've always had a tad more than 1/4" or so deflection for my truck because the pulleys are less than 12 inches apart. I try to do a little more than 1/4, and a little less than 1/2, because it's better to be a little loose than too tight with the belt. Loosen the pivots just a little bit so they put a bit of tension on the belt when you move it. Makes it easier to tighten it up. Drive it for a few minutes, and check it again 'cause it'll stretch. I just did this yesterday, so it's fresh in my mind :)

[Jeremiah720]

I've always done it that way lol never had a problem. The way I was thought in school.

[Z-train]

i have the haynes manual but maybe it skipped something of maybe just assumes something as common knowledge...?  thanks!

Get a FSM-forget Haynes.Your life afterwards will thank you.

[that-son]

still looking for a haynes with 4x4.  an 81 just popped up but no 4x4...

 

still waiting for the ps pulley tensioner.  ive got the belts on somehow but...

 

1.  can't find the screws for the ac? tensioner

2. loosened the alternator, turned it all the way to the right (when facing the engine) but still can't get the belt over.  i'm sure i have the right belt but will check again later.

 

my speedometer just spins but apparently it's not as easy as just replacing the cable...

 

 

i thought i had a before pic but i guess i accidentally deleted it.  it looks like it's put together correctly ( to me at least) but when i attach the new cable to the speedometer and a power drill it still just spins.  i looked at three  720's before getting this one and all three had the same spinning speedometer issue.  has anyone encountered this issue? 

 

oh and i did find a 1982 fsm with 4x4.  close enough?

[Jeremiah720]

Wrong thread edited

[that-son]

my alternator cooked my battery so before installing the rebuilt alt i decided to replace all the belts.

 

the ac belt goes in first but the timing plate needs to swivel out of the way first.  no mention of that in haynes at all and it just doesn't look like the neww belt can go in with the plate in the way.

 

here is the plate out of the way after a healthy dose of wd40.

 

the bolt is a little hard to reach.  it is above the drag link.

 

new belt installed.

[datzenmike]

I think the alternator should be on the right as seen from inside the vehicle. In this position the timing scale won't be in the way over the rear pulley