drive belts and distributor replacement - newbie

[gracklemann]

I'm pretty much new to diy auto repair.. but tomorrow I'm planning to jump in with some simple stuff.. looking to replace the AC and alternator belts, and also the distributor cap, wire set and plugs.. this is on a '96 cruiser with 233k miles.

Anyway.. I don't think any of this should cause me too much trouble, but thought I'd post here just in case someone had some advice or anything. Also, was planning to get the parts at autozone; for these parts are they all mostly the same, or are there any brands or anything I should lean towards? I think most of what they had was made Duralast brand.

Thanks for the help.

 

[arndog123]

My only recommendation is to buy your parts from CruiserDan.

 

[The Nak]

My only recommendation is to buy your parts from CruiserDan.

x2.

You won't get it done tomorrow if you order your parts from Dan, but you will get quality parts that will last longer than the cheap stuff at Vatozone.

 

[Clutchee]

. Also, was planning to get the parts at autozone; for these parts are they all mostly the same, or are there any brands or anything I should lean towards? I think most of what they had was made Duralast brand.

Thanks for the help.

First off, don't use autozone stuff on a cruiser...... stick with OEM parts & they will last as long as the ones your replacing.

Use Cruiser Dan or Toyota of Dallas for your parts.... you'll get a IH8mud discount with both of these vendors & they will know exactly what you need for a cruiser.

 

[wxm]

First off, don't use autozone stuff on a cruiser...... stick with OEM parts & they will last as long as the ones your replacing.

Use Cruiser Dan or Toyota of Dallas for your parts.... you'll get a IH8mud discount with both of these vendors & they will know exactly what you need for a cruiser.

I have ordered from Toyota of Dallas a couple of times in the past, but I did not know there is a discount. How do you get a discount - Is there a coupon code?

 

[Clutchee]

I have ordered from Toyota of Dallas a couple of times in the past, but I did not know there is a discount. How do you get a discount - Is there a coupon code?

Talk to Barb or Jacque in parts.... they'll take care of you.

 

[ArmyFJ]

Many dealers will give you a discount if you ask about a Toyota Club or Land Cruiser Club discount. I have been to a few dealers here in WA and OR and they do it with out even having to ask when I tell them, "I need such-and-such for a 91 Land Cruiser."

 

[Otto Von Squiggy]

use OEM products. they are more expensive even with the discount but you dont run the risk of ever forgeting whats on your car and how it interacts with the other Toyota parts.

 

[OGBeno]

x2 on buying OE parts for critical applications like these. The only other place Iwould probably buy parts would be NAPA. At least there, the guys at the desk are grizzled parts guys, just like the guys at American Toyota (or most other dedicated parts places).

Some other tips for a first timer:

1. Take out the battery and battery tray. It will make life a lot easier for you especially when you have to deal with the alternator adjusting bolt that goes in horizontally from the USDS wheel well.

2. Make sure you replace the rotor, the dizzy cap, as well as the wires and spark plugs at the same time. It's generally good to keep them all on the same replacement schedule so you don't have to think to yourself "when did I replace this?" etc.

3. The #6 spark plug and wire sometimes gives people trouble. Take the 2-12mm bolts for the wiring harness and the 2 10mm bolts for the heater valve out and get those things out of the way to give you more space to work. While the harness is detached, take a good look at it and see how the heat taping looks. The EGR valve right underneath it is a very high temp. application (approaching 1000 degrees. If needed, go to a race car store and replace with some aluminum taping or some other heat resistant material.

4. Use anti-seize on the spark plug threads.

5. Be careful with the dizzy cap rubber packing. Don't rip it.

6. Put di-electric on the plug ends--not the spark ends, but the ends that go into the wire. Also put some di-electric on the ends of the wires where they attach to the dizzy cap.

7. I would recommend replacing the idler pulley underneath the alternator at the same time...maybe even the pulley for the AC condensor tightener--the one that the bolt goes through from the bottom. These are fast wear items and a good "while I am in here" work.

8. You do not have to take the fan or the fan shroud off to do this work. Snake the belts over the fan and clutch.

9. This is a good time to replace your fan clutch if you haven't already.

10. Be careful to not over tighten the belts. They should have about 1/2" of play at their centers between pulleys--when I mean play, I mean the ability to push on them up and down--should be about 1/2" each way.

11. The belts should not ride deep in the pulley grooves. There should be a small bit of space between the bottom of the belts and the bottom of the pulley valleys.

12. Do not use cogged belts--they tend to make lots of noise as opposed to the non-cogged OEM belts.

Good luck.
-o-

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Re: 2. Make sure you replace the rotor, the dizzy cap, as well as the wires and spark plugs at the same time. It's generally good to keep them all on the same replacement schedule so you don't have to think to yourself "when did I replace this?" etc.

What's a good replacement schedule in terms of miles? I was thinking every 100k. I replaced mine at 100k and now I'm at 160k, but I'm wondering if the plugs usually last 100k. I got everything from cdan, so these are oem.

 

[gracklemann]

Thanks for the advice everyone.. I really appreciate it.

 

[iptman]

I used IdahoDoug's "25 minute" method yesterday to change my belts. Of course it took me more like 2 hours. I agree about removing the battery and tray. I also removed the skid plate to get access to the A/C tension pulley. It's only 4 bolts and makes moving that pulley significantly easier. I also cheated and cut the old belts with a set of dykes before loosening any bolts. Good luck.

 

[pmccumber]

X whatever we're up to now on the OEM parts. I went to Longmont Toyota and sniveled and they gave me a break. But the belts, even at retail are only about $25. The the cap and rotor are another $20 at the most. And I bought the belts there only cuz it was all I was doing at the time. Anything bigger I go to CDan. He is fast and doesn't waste your time.

My A/C belt was not OEM and Houdini would not have gotten that thing off. I took a saw to that thing with extreme prejudice and cursed (literally) anyone who would consider using non-OEM belts. I think I scarred my kids for life.

The "25 minute" thing is great but for your first try, take off the skid and take out the battery. It only costs 10 minutes to do so. The next time you do belts you'll know where everything is and then the 25 minute method is truly the way to go. And by the way, my Alternator belts came off really, really easy.

Yeah, the belts really do come over the fan blades easily.

Check the date on the spark plug wires, mine were original equipment so I replaced them. Somebody might have done it in the last 5 years so you might not need to replace them. They get a little more expensive (~$90). Don't over-tighten those belts.

 

[ranma21]

Talk to Barb or Jacque in parts.... they'll take care of you.

Or talk to Raul, been getting parts from them for almost 4 yrs now. He will give you a discount better than the discount price on their web site.

Go with Toyota parts, first time fitment with guarantee result!!