MONTE CARLO The notorious J-tool conspiracy

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CopperNick

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For those who took the time to follow my adventures in power steering land, where we left off was with me finally getting the return line fitting and adaptor installed and nailed down and a new rubber line cut and installed to complete the circuit.
Which brings me to my latest question: Has anyone on the board ever heard of a GM made, "J" prefix tool that was specifically created to tension the power steering pump belt? Yeah, I know, big screwdriver and push on the pump body while frantically trying to reach the bolt that comes into the bracket from the header side of things and tighten it up. I have two pumps sitting on the lid of the trash can that had that type of tender ministration paid to them and have the dented body to show for it. Not looking to revisit that modification with my latest pump body which is in fairly decent shape and freshly painted. Am I going to have to argue with E-Bay about this??

Nick
 

ssn696

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JC Whitney used to sell a tool that had two curved plates and a turnbuckle. Slip it between two pulleys and turn the coupler until you got the right tension. then tighten down all the adjustment bolts.
 
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CopperNick

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Sweet!! Just off the top of my head I think that I might have all the raw materials, including a turnbuckle, to gin together a home brew version of what you just described.

Thanks large for the inspiration!

Nick
 

jiho

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JC Whitney used to sell a tool that had two curved plates and a turnbuckle. Slip it between two pulleys and turn the coupler until you got the right tension. then tighten down all the adjustment bolts.

What I use. Those curved plates are a bit flimsy, and it's easy to muck them up, so you do want to be careful keeping things lined up. But it works, and sure saves a ton of trouble. Takes a 3/4" wrench.

EDIT: Seems "used to sell" is right. I was just there and could not find it. Glad I got my second one before they stopped carrying it.
 
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565bbchevy

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I just use the P-tool method

1590807489869.png
 
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jiho

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Isn't there a square hole for a 1/2" drive breaker bar? I was out there earlier today, and I'm too lazy to go back.
 

ssn696

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ssn696

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Isn't there a square hole for a 1/2" drive breaker bar? I was out there earlier today, and I'm too lazy to go back.
Yep. On a serpentine setup. This allows you to pull back the tensioner. The tool we're chasing is for V-belts.
 

jiho

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Yep. On a serpentine setup. This allows you to pull back the tensioner. The tool we're chasing is for V-belts.

No, I mean on the PS bracket itself.
 

Ribbedroof

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On mine, you need to pull the pump up. I use a short prybar under the bracket with a short length of lumber as a fulcrum between the box or frame and pump bracket.

According to the 1983 Caballero svc manual (which is just the Chevrolet carline manual with a Caballero cover), some models/engines have a square drive in bracket, others do not. For those, that require the pump be moved out, this drawing is provided

SAM_1927.JPG

There IS a J-tool for measuring belt tension.
 
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