hi guys. Any one have a good idea, how to put the belt back after belt tensioner replacement in 98 3500 express?.

This is for the 5.3, 5.7, and 6.0 Vortec engines. Is this what you need?

it's 5.7 with 1 belt. i replaced tensioner and put new belt, but can't find way to keep tensioner down to put belt in place. 1/2 " ratchet keep sleeping off plus lacking 3rd hand to keep it it pace. is there any way to lock tensioner down?

place

Some tensioners have a bolt hole through them that you can max them out then slip a small bolt in to retain it, but not all of them have this. Look for one though. Other than that, you're gonna want to use the longest ratchet or wrench you can get on there for leverage. Lock two wrenches together if you can do that, it'll help. Then route it over every pulley except for one smaller one that's close to where your hands are gonna be. Don't try to slip it over a big pulley. If you can catch it on just one outer rib, *just* enough to hold it on do that then slowly back off the tension til it's free. Adjust your wrench then, get yourself into position and pull it back again and slip the belt on the rest of the way.

Thanks a lot body. My tensioner doesn't have a through hole, but I'll try ratchet a wrench combination. I guess my mistake was trying to get biggest pulley last. I'll see, how your system works. Thanks again

Yeah a ratchet with a big wrench locked over it, like a 22mm or something, closed end over the ratchet could work *but* the angle is gonna be pretty drastic, like 45 degrees so you might not have clearance for that. You could lock two wrenches together instead...using the closed end on the tensioner bolt and locking the closed end of the second wrench onto the open end of the first wrench. Now if you're slipping on the tensioner bolt though, try using a 6 point socket instead of a 12-pt. It'll bite harder. G'luck.

ok, I'll do that. Also after some time of trying got pretty frustrated. Now with clear mind and your suggestions it must work. Thanks

how do i change the ac belt on 2012 chevy van 4.8 3500

/\ unless Chevy has started using stretch belts on their ac compressors, which I don't think they have, easiest way is typically to remove the air inlet elbow, remove the outer primary belt by using a wrench/ratchet to rotate the automatic tensioner to loosen the belt, then just slip it off of a few of the passenger-side pulleys, and you'll have access to the A/C belt then, which should have an automatic tensioner as well. Typically the A/C belt is easier to install from underneath, and the main drive belt is easier installed from up top.