How does one change the drive belt on an '88 Lincoln Continental?

Answer 1

Just put a socket on the tensioning pulley and it will lossen the drive belt nope....wrong answer, socket and rachet wont have clearance. this is a Lincoln, not a chevy...

a standard wrench (either 15 mm or 5/8 in. ), using the box-end of the wrench, place it on the tensioner pulley mount bolt (you will need a very long wrench to move the AC line up against the fender while you fit the wrench onto the pulley, you want the wrench placed in a 12:30-1:00 o'clock position), with wrench in place as mentioned, you will take the very long wrench used to move the AC line, and place the boxed-end of the long wrench onto the open-end of the wrench on the pulley. if you dont understand how this works, ask a handyman/mechanic to show you how to use the long wrench as leverage. idea is you dont have room for any other manner except to go buy a tool for this that costs 80.00 usd.

second thing to consider is this: on the plastic plate covering the radiator and fan should be a California EMISSIONS sticker, if not, then you have a federal vehicle, I.E., out of state. the two models of this year use different belts. hint:federal has ONLY ONE serpentine belt, other has smaller serpentine plus one v-belt.

SOURCE:BACK-YARD MECHANIC AND OWNER OF THIS FINE AUTOMOBILE (AT LEAST AFTER I FINISH RESTORING IT)...