Installing AC Belt with ATI balancer - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ZL1 TIBS · 07-21-2016, 08:58 AM

I had to replace my AC belt last night and it was a total PITA. I have the ATI balancer on the car with the 10% supercharger overdrive. I was using the OEM AC Delco 12622244 AC belt. I tried to use the install tool that was recommended on Rock Auto (Gates 91030) but could not figure out how to make it work. The You Tube videos I watched showing it going behind the balancer, but it didn't seem like I had the clearance to fit it back there. I ended up getting it on, but I had to remove the supercharger pulley for clearance and get a buddy to help push the belt on while I rotated the crank. I am nervous that this belt is going to shred because we damaged it putting it on.
Has anyone successfully used the tool I had on a ZL-1 installation? Did you have an ATI balancer?
I looked up the CTS-v stuff since they have the LSA engine also. They have a cool setup with an AC Belt and Tool (AC Delco 19180340) It includes tool 12623615 and belt 12612516. I would use that, but why does the CTS-V have a different part number for their belt? Isn't it the exact same set up?

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-21-2016, 09:08 AM

I usually walk it on like a bicycle chain with my fingers...slowly turn the balancer clockwise and push it on and keep it in the groove. Sometimes it takes a few tries and watch your fingers as you can easily get pinched. Yes, it is much easier with the supercharger belt and pulley removed. I tried using the tool but didn't have good results either. There are two different versions of that tool...one has a little bolt in it and the other looks like a wedge with a slope. It is exactly the same setup as the CTS-v except the CTS-v has a hydraulic power steering pump.

ZL1 TIBS · 07-21-2016, 09:28 AM

Stephen, do you put the belt in front of or behind the belt groove when you walk it on?
I am curious about this tool with the wedge and slope. Did you have any luck with that tool?
Do you think the CTS-V belt and tool would work?

Hocky · 07-21-2016, 09:44 AM

It was pretty difficult to walk it on alone, but with a second person I was able to walk it on without spending too much time on it.

DrkPhx · 07-21-2016, 09:53 AM

I used the wedge tool and you definitely have to remove the SC pulley and belt. Make sure the belt is properly seated or it will get shredded.

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-21-2016, 10:37 AM

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-21-2016, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1 TIBS

Stephen, do you put the belt in front of or behind the belt groove when you walk it on?
I am curious about this tool with the wedge and slope. Did you have any luck with that tool?
Do you think the CTS-V belt and tool would work?

I had no luck with either tool but many here say the wedge works great. CTS-v stretch fit a/c belt should be exactly the same. I put it on the crank and pressed the belt as I rotated from the lower side of the ac compressor. It is a PITA but it will go.

ZL1 TIBS · 07-21-2016, 12:24 PM

Where can I get those wedge tools?

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-21-2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1 TIBS

Where can I get those wedge tools?

just look online...stretch fit tool

Boother · 07-21-2016, 04:20 PM

So I wasn't the only one that found this to be a huge pain without a second set of hands. I got it done, but it took way longer than it should. Find a friend to help!

99frc · 07-22-2016, 07:22 PM

I did it myself walking it on while turning the crank. It was a bitch and I'm glad I had mechanic gloves on! Started with the belt on the back side of the pulley and supercharger belt off.

ZO6 Bryan · 07-22-2016, 07:44 PM

I did it easily without a tool. Line the belt up on the crank pulley. Then get it started on the underside of the AC pulley as far as you can. You should be able to wrap it around the AC pulley to about the 10 o'clock position. Then turn the engine clockwise until it is all the way on.

deeds · 07-23-2016, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I usually walk it on like a bicycle chain with my fingers...slowly turn the balancer clockwise and push it on and keep it in the groove. Sometimes it takes a few tries and watch your fingers as you can easily get pinched. Yes, it is much easier with the supercharger belt and pulley removed. I tried using the tool but didn't have good results either. There are two different versions of that tool...one has a little bolt in it and the other looks like a wedge with a slope. It is exactly the same setup as the CTS-v except the CTS-v has a hydraulic power steering pump.

same here

ZMEnow · 07-23-2016, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZO6 Bryan

I did it easily without a tool. Line the belt up on the crank pulley. Then get it started on the underside of the AC pulley as far as you can. You should be able to wrap it around the AC pulley to about the 10 o'clock position. Then turn the engine clockwise until it is all the way on.

+1

07-21-2016, 08:58 AM	#1
ZL1 TIBS Drives: 1968 Camaro, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Aston, PA Posts: 398	Installing AC Belt with ATI balancer I had to replace my AC belt last night and it was a total PITA. I have the ATI balancer on the car with the 10% supercharger overdrive. I was using the OEM AC Delco 12622244 AC belt. I tried to use the install tool that was recommended on Rock Auto (Gates 91030) but could not figure out how to make it work. The You Tube videos I watched showing it going behind the balancer, but it didn't seem like I had the clearance to fit it back there. I ended up getting it on, but I had to remove the supercharger pulley for clearance and get a buddy to help push the belt on while I rotated the crank. I am nervous that this belt is going to shred because we damaged it putting it on. Has anyone successfully used the tool I had on a ZL-1 installation? Did you have an ATI balancer? I looked up the CTS-v stuff since they have the LSA engine also. They have a cool setup with an AC Belt and Tool (AC Delco 19180340) It includes tool 12623615 and belt 12612516. I would use that, but why does the CTS-V have a different part number for their belt? Isn't it the exact same set up?

07-21-2016, 09:08 AM	#2
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	I usually walk it on like a bicycle chain with my fingers...slowly turn the balancer clockwise and push it on and keep it in the groove. Sometimes it takes a few tries and watch your fingers as you can easily get pinched. Yes, it is much easier with the supercharger belt and pulley removed. I tried using the tool but didn't have good results either. There are two different versions of that tool...one has a little bolt in it and the other looks like a wedge with a slope. It is exactly the same setup as the CTS-v except the CTS-v has a hydraulic power steering pump. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

07-21-2016, 10:37 AM	#6
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	__________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

07-22-2016, 07:22 PM	#11
99frc Drives: 2015 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Dallas Posts: 97	I did it myself walking it on while turning the crank. It was a bitch and I'm glad I had mechanic gloves on! Started with the belt on the back side of the pulley and supercharger belt off. __________________ 2015 ZL1 #377

07-22-2016, 07:44 PM	#12
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	I did it easily without a tool. Line the belt up on the crank pulley. Then get it started on the underside of the AC pulley as far as you can. You should be able to wrap it around the AC pulley to about the 10 o'clock position. Then turn the engine clockwise until it is all the way on. __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6

07-21-2016, 09:28 AM	#3
ZL1 TIBS Drives: 1968 Camaro, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Aston, PA Posts: 398	Stephen, do you put the belt in front of or behind the belt groove when you walk it on? I am curious about this tool with the wedge and slope. Did you have any luck with that tool? Do you think the CTS-V belt and tool would work?

07-21-2016, 09:44 AM	#4
Hocky Drives: Cts-v2 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 116	It was pretty difficult to walk it on alone, but with a second person I was able to walk it on without spending too much time on it.

07-21-2016, 09:53 AM	#5
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	I used the wedge tool and you definitely have to remove the SC pulley and belt. Make sure the belt is properly seated or it will get shredded.

07-21-2016, 12:24 PM	#8
ZL1 TIBS Drives: 1968 Camaro, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Aston, PA Posts: 398	Where can I get those wedge tools?

07-21-2016, 04:20 PM	#10
Boother Drives: 14 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Calgary Posts: 167	So I wasn't the only one that found this to be a huge pain without a second set of hands. I got it done, but it took way longer than it should. Find a friend to help!