Post Fix Tensioner--How do you remove a belt?

The FIX includes installation of a new belt tensioner but uses the old stop plate.  It is not clear, however, how to loosen the tensioner to remove the belt.  Your dealer installed the tensioner using a bolt and washer supplied with the FIX parts.  I suspect this bolt is never given to the car owner.  Norm on the Corral BBS posted a note to me which contained the instructions provided by Ford with the FIX tensioner.  I tried these instructions and have documented the steps below.
    
The tensioner pulley has an 8mm x 1.25 (fine) pitch threaded hole in it.  The FIX parts included a M8-1.25 x 10 mm socket head bolt and washer which was to be temporarily installed in the threaded hole and then used to move the tensioner so that the FIX belt could be installed.  I purchased two washers and an M8 x 1.25 x 12 mm bolt with a 13mm hex head  and installed it in the hole.  A 13mm box end wrench can then be used to release the tension on the belt.  This works fine except the stop plate has to be removed so that the bolt can be installed and you have to have the bolt and washers!  The bolt then MUST be removed before the stop plate is re-installed after the belt is re-installed.

     
A large screwdriver can be used to move the tensioner pulley without using the bolt.  The stop plate is used for a fulcrum and it does not need to be removed.    The belt can be removed without removing the stop plate also.  Using the big screwdriver is probably the easiest way to loosen the tensioner enough to get the belt OFF.  The problem is that you can't get a bite on the tensioner with the big screwdriver to move the tensioner enough to put the belt back ON!  Your screwdriver may work OK, however.

Another way to move the tensioner is to use one of the bolts from the tensioner plate mount and the two nuts from the stop plate as spacers.  You need a 15mm wrench as well as the 13mm to do this as shown below.

I say buy a bolt and washers and install in the empty threaded bolt hole in the head just above the tensioner and be done with it.  And carry a 13 mm box wrench and a spare belt.

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