I'm trying to install a new alternator. I'm putting one bolt in the new
one, then slipping the belt in place, then attempting to install the final
bolt.

When replacing accessories, usually prying with one hand and starting the
bolt with the other hand has worked for me.

On the Taurus, there is no obvious place to pry. I even tried the unusual
step of putting the small bolt in first and the pivot bold last. Due to
the tight clearance, I could not overcome to belt tension and get the hole
lined up.

I thought of removing the belt tensioner bolt, or the idler pulley, but it
seems to me that I'd end up with the same problem if I try to get those on
last. And they are in harder to reach locations.

What is the best way to do it?

I'm out of time for today, so any suggestions that I can try tomorrow
would be appreciated.

--
Tony Sivori
Due to spam, I'm filtering all Google Groups posters.

Ok, I might have found my mistake.

Rereading the Chiltons, it says the the square half inch adjustment lever
hole is on the rear of the adjustment pulley.

I looked for the half inch lever hole, both under the hood and on the
Chiltons schematic. But since I didn't see it in the schematic or on the
car I thought it didn't apply to my model.

So it looks like the obvious solution is to install the belt last, using
the replace serpentine belt procedure.

--
Tony Sivori
Due to spam, I'm filtering all Google Groups posters.

"Tony Sivori" wrote:

According to Rockauto's pictures, the square hole is cast into the tensioner
arm, right behind the pulley itself.

Here's their picture of a Dayco tensioner... click on the little left / right arrows
to get a front / rear view of the assembly.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=960354

And on the off chance the arrows don't work with your browser...
Front view: http://info.rockauto.com/Dayco/89217FRO.jpg
Back view: http://info.rockauto.com/Dayco/89217BA.jpg