Drew---This belt changing can be quite a chore when the gap is too small
at the cross member. You might first seeing if you can pull it out by
turning the belt 90 deg. Sometimes the belt is 'thinner' than it is
wide. Get all of the space you can by levering the engine/pulley towards
the back of the chassis. (Figure someone had to put the belt in this
way, so it has to come out.) Use liquid detergent for extra
slipperyness. If you can get a 'corner' of the belt part way out, you
might try jogging the engine over, or rolling the car while in gear.
If and when the time comes to take out the engine, you can usually pick
up more room by favoring where the front and rear mounts are bolted in.
Shift everything back before the final tightening. Same with the cross
member, but in the opposite direction.
If necessary, you can cut this stubborn belt out. Take it to a good auto
parts store and get one the same length and width, but not so deep. Use
the 'twist' method to install it.
Dick T.
'73
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