Re: SPICA Belt Assistance

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@domain.elided>]

Hi Tom:

I have no experience with Alfetta's, but lots with Spica-injected Spiders, 
so I may be able to help.  I'm going to assume you've removed the fan 
belt(s) and also the guard that covers the front of the Spica pump.  And, 
I'm hoping that the pulley on your Spica pump does not have the lip on its 
outer rim that some do (if it does, either the Spica pulley or the crank 
pulley have to come off).

First, set the engine to the 'I' (iniezione) mark on the crank 
pulley.  Pull the #1 sparkplug and look into the hole.  You should be able 
to see the valves partially open.  If they are both closed, rotate the 
engine one full turn, and again set to the 'I' mark.  Verify that the 
valves are open.  Work the new Spica belt over the crank pulley and onto 
the toothed drive area.  This can be a bit tricky, and you can do it from 
above or below, or you may have to do a bit of both.  I usually do it from 
the top, working from the exhaust side of the engine.

Put the car in 5th gear and release the hand brake.  Align the timing marks 
on the Spica pulley and pump body.  Pull the belt over towards the pump, 
and get the belt started on the top side of the pulley, without changing 
the alignment of the pulley.  You won't be able to get much of the belt 
engaged with the pulley, but that's OK.  Hold the belt tightly in place on 
the top side of the pulley with your right thumb.  With your left hand, 
grab the top of the tire and roll the car backwards.  If you've held the 
belt in place tightly enough, it will slip onto the pulley without jumping 
any teeth or falling off completely.  It may take you a few attempts, but 
be persistent.  Once the belt is on, again set the engine to TDC and verify 
that the timing is correct.  Buona fortuna.

Regards,

Dean W. Cains
Lutz, FL
'74 Spider Veloce


At 12:41 AM 3/13/2002, you wrote:
>Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 21:37:37 -0800
>From: "Tom Dennis" <eyeinthepyramid@domain.elided>
>Subject: SPICA Belt Assistance
>
>Hi all,
>
>After lurking on this list for awhile I finally took the plunge & bought my
>first Alfa, a '77 Alfetta GT.
>. . . . . . . . (text deleted)
>I have a new belt, but my question is if there is a trick to getting the
>damn thing on.  It looks to require a bloody knuckle sacrifice and much foul
>language. The guy at the Alfa shop says you have to remove either the spica
>pulley or the crankshaft pulley. Please tell me there is another way. I have
>lots of shade tree experience with other european cars of mostly German &
>Swedish origin and a relatively complete set of tools.
>
>BTW I have both the Alfa Bible & car disc and didn't see anything in either
>on how to change the belt.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Tom D.

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