The 1988 Ford Mustang featured either a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or a more powerful 5.0-liter V8 power plant. The four-cylinder engine available on the Ford Mustang during the '88 model year did not come equipped with a typical serpentine belt adjuster as seen on the V8 engine. Not having a centralized serpentine belt adjustment mechanism will make for extra work with regard to belt removal and installation for the four-cylinder engine. Mustang owners that have the 5.0 liter V8 engine can rest easier knowing that releasing the tension off the serpentine belt can be achieved within a matter of minutes.
Tools Used: Socket and ratchet set, Wrench set
Release Tension on Belt Tensioner
5.0-Liter Engines
Open your vehicle's hood and locate the serpentine belt tensioner idler pulley in between the alternator and distributor. The tensioner is mounted on the top front of the engine and presses down against the serpentine belt. Locate the center bolt securing the idler pulley to the tensioner.
Attach an appropriate-sized socket and ratchet to the bolt securing the idler pulley to the tensioner.
Rotate the tensioner off the serpentine belt by pulling the ratchet towards the passenger side of the vehicle. Move the serpentine belt out of the way while you allow the tensioner to revert to its original position; slowly moving the ratchet towards the driver side of the vehicle.
2.3-Liter Engines
Open your vehicle's hood and locate the alternator on the right side of the engine. The alternator is round in appearance and features a fan mounted on the belt pulley. Locate the adjustment bolt on the bottom side of the alternator that attaches to the slotted area on the mounting bracket.
Loosen the alternator adjustment bolt located on the bottom mounting bracket in order to create enough slack to remove the alternator belt. You may need to use a wrench in order to pivot the alternator towards the engine so that the belt will slip off.
Locate the air-conditioning compressor on the left side of the engine. The A/C compressor is larger than the alternator and has two substantial looking metal air-conditioning lines connected to the rear. Locate the adjustment bolt on top of the air-conditioning compressor, loosen the adjustment bolt with an appropriate sized ratchet and socket and pivot the unit using the open end of a wrench.
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