HEY guys. im having some issues reinstalling my new belt on a 15% pulley i just installed. is the belt tensioner tool necessary? i heard using a allen wrench or screwdriver would work, but am i missing something? because its not working out that well for me. id appreciate some help from anyone whos gone through this. thanks

 

You can use a socket as a fulcrum, and then use a prybar to compress the tenssioner....when it is fully compressed....you then can get a second person to carefully inset a allen wrench/screwdriver/awl into the tab on it...locking it into position....then run the new belt...then apply light preasure...with the prybar again, and remove the allen wrench...and you are done.
It is kinda dangerous IMO...it would be easy to crush/loose a finger this way....the tool makes it simple...do a quick search...there are a few discussions on this. To make the most power,and prevent slipping, the belt should be so tight, you may need a second person to pull back a bit on the tool to get the extra 1-2 MM to slip on the smaller belt.....
A fairly new OEM belt will work OK for a bit with a 15%, but most folks run a NAPA 535 length belt...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ment-help.html
This thread does not have a pic...but a few do!! Good luck!!
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...elt-issue.html
This one has a pic of where to inset the allen wrench.....here it is!!

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...belt-swap.html

Here is a pic of where to put the socket.....