To start out, I have a 2000 3.0 liter v6. My belt tensioner began to split open slightly causing the belt to come out of alignment. Decided it was time for a new one. When I took the belt off I realized it was very very loose.

I took off the pulley, then started to take off the bolt and the bolt head stripped. I was surprised to see that it was such a small bolt head. (7 or 8 mm)
attempted to used stripped bolt remover socket and it didn't do the trick. I tried giving it a bit of heat, and a bit of tapping but got nowhere.

Does anyone else have some advice on this before I tow it off to the real mechanics? And does anyone else have such a small bolt head on their stock (I assume) belt tensioner.

Thanks!

 

Are you sure it is not the external Torx or spline drive style bolt head. Ford uses those in some areas. A standard socket will fit it but will slip over making you thing it stripped.

 

Thanks that's exactly what happened