The 8mm flange bolt will not loosen on the Belt Tensioner for my 2000 Ford Ranger - how do I remove the fan so I can get to the bolt more easily?

Here are the instructions to replace the belt which are ones the same as the 2.3 earlier engine.
Getting Started

• Remove the radiator shroud and loosen the water pump pulley bolts. Remove the accessory drive belts. Remove the water pump pulley bolts. Remove the water pump pulley and the radiator cooling fan. Drain and recover the Freon from the air-conditioning system. Remove the air-conditioning compressor.
  Remove the power steering pump but leave the lines attached and move aside. Remove the air conditioning bracket. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt and the pulley using the wheel puller. Remove the timing belt cover.
  

Align Crankshaft and Block

• Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the keyway on the crankshaft sprocket is straight up and the dot to the right side of it is lined up with the corresponding mark on the block. Check that the triangle mark on the camshaft sprocket lines up with the same type mark on the block at the 5 o'clock position. If not then turn the crankshaft one more time and it will align.
  

Loosen Tensioner

• Loosen the large bolt on the top of the tensioner and then loosen the bolt closest to the tensioner pulley. Use the special ford tool and turn the tensioner clockwise to take the tension off of the timing belt and tighten the adjusting bolt lightly to hold it out of your way. Remove the timing belt.
  

Work Counterclockwise

• Install the new timing belt starting on the right side and work counterclockwise. The circle on the crankshaft sprocket and the diamond marks on the oil pump and the triangle marks on the camshaft sprocket should always stay lined up. Loosen the adjuster bolt on the tensioner and rotate the engine two turns clockwise and realign the timing marks. Tighten the tensioner-adjusting bolt next to the tensioner pulley and then pivot bolt. Install the rest of the components in the reverse order that they were removed and tighten the crankshaft bolt to 121 foot-pounds of torque.
  

Changing water pump invovles : remove the under cover, draining coolant, remove upper and lower radiator hoses, resservior tank hose, fresh air duct remove engine fan and shroud together loosen altenatormounting bolt and adjustment bolt remove altenator belt and fan pully, remove the 3 fan brakett assembly bolts and brackett assembly, remove the upper and lower timing belt covers . Turn crankshaft so #1 cylinder is at TDC then loosen timing belt tensioner lock bolt and pry tensioner away to loosen belt retighten tensioner lock bolt, remove and inspect timing belt as now is the time to replace bad or worn belt remove the water pump bolts and then same the coolant pump is the plate with the timing belt tensioner and idler pulley and a cogged gear at lower right. clean mating surfaces install in reverse order tighten coolant pump bolts to 16 ft-lb and tihgten tensioner bolt to 32 ft-lb coolant capacity about 7 quarts. be ecofreindly dispose of coolant according to local laws

ROTATE BELT TENSIONER ARM CLOCKWISE TO REMOVE BELT.THEN LOOSEN TENSIONER CENTER BOLT AND REMOVE THE BELT TENSIONER.

LOOSEN YOUR ALTERNATOR PIVOT AND TENSIONER MOUNTING BOLT.TO RELIEVE BELT TENSION ROTATING THE ADJUSTING BOLT..THEN WHEN BELT HAS ENOUGH SLACK IN IT.YOU CAN REMOVE IT.WHEN REPLACING NEW BELT IT SHOULD DEFLECT 0.23 - 031 INCH OR 6 - 8MM

Timing Belt Removal & Installation SOHC To Remove:

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Remove fresh air duct.
3. Drain engine coolant into an appropriate container and retighten radiator drain plug.
4. Remove upper radiator hose.
5. Remove fan clutch assembly bolts.
6. Remove 5 cooling fan shroud bolts.
7. Remove fan shroud and fan as an assembly.
8. Loosen alternator mounting bolts and remove drive belt from pulley.
9. Remove fan pulley.
10. Remove 4 cooling fan assembly bolts.
11. Remove cooling fan assembly.
12. Remove 4 bolts and upper timing belt cover.
13. Remove 2 lower bolts and lower timing belt cover.
14. Loosen adjusting bolt and remove A/C belt.
15. Remove alternator belt.
16. Loosen power steering pump lock bolt and mounting bolt.
17. Remove drive belt from crankshaft damper. Camshaft timing marks
    
    
18. Turn crankshaft until timing mark on front housing and the arrow "2" on the camshaft pulley align.
19. Remove 5 bolts and remove damper.
20. Remove timing belt guide from timing belt pulley.
21. Loosen tensioner lock bolt.
22. Pry tensioner away from timing belt and tighten lock bolt to relieve tension on the timing belt. NOTE: Mark the direction of timing belt rotation on the belt if it is being reused.
    
23. Remove timing belt.

To Install:
Timing belt pulley timing marks

NOTE: Timing belt pulley timing mark and timing mark must be aligned.
Camshaft timing marks

NOTE: The arrow at "2" on camshaft pulley must be aligned with timing mark on front housing.
Timing belt installation

1. Install timing belt with minimal slack from timing belt pulley to water pump and from water pump to camshaft pulley.
2. Loosen tensioner lock bolt until tension is applied to timing belt. CAUTION
   Do not turn crankshaft counterclockwise.
   
3. Turn crankshaft pulley 2 full turns clockwise and ensure timing marks are properly aligned.
4. Tighten tensioner lock bolt to 33 ft lb (45 Nm).
5. Apply a force of 21 lb to timing belt midway between idler pulley and camshaft pulley.
   • Deflection should measure 0.43-0.51 inch (11-13 mm)
   NOTE: if timing belt deflection is incorrect remove timing belt and install NEW tensioner spring.
   
6. Install timing belt guide.
7. Install crankshaft damper pulley.
8. Install 5 crankshaft damper pulley bolts. Tighten bolts to 132 in lb (15 Nm).
9. Install power steering pump drive belt.
10. Adjust power steering pump drive belt tension and tighten lock bolt and mounting bolt.
11. Install alternator drive belt.
12. Install A/C drive belt.
13. Install lower timing belt cover and bolts. Tighten bolts to 84 in lb (10 Nm).
14. Install upper timing belt cover and bolts. Tighten bolts to 84 in lb (10 Nm).
15. Install cooling fan assembly and 4 bolts. Tighten bolts to 27 ft lb (37 Nm).
16. Install fan pulley.
17. Install fan clutch and shroud as an assembly. Tighten bolts to 74 in lb (8 Nm).
18. Tighten 4 cooling fan nuts to 16 ft lb (22 Nm).
19. Adjust alternator belt tension and tighten alternator mounting bolts.
20. Install upper radiator hose.
21. Install fresh air duct.
22. Connect battery negative cable.
23. Refill/bleed cooling system.

DOHC To Remove:

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Remove fresh air duct.
3. Remove 5 cooling fan shroud bolts and 4 thermo-modulated fan nuts.
4. Remove 4 thermo-modulated fan shroud fasteners.
5. Remove generator drive belt.
6. Remove fan pulley (located above crankshaft pulley).
7. Remove 4 bolts and splash shield (located under front of vehicle).
8. Remove A/C drive belt and power steering drive belt. Timing Belt Removal
   
   
9. Remove 5 bolts and upper timing belt cover.
10. Remove 2 bolts and lower timing belt cover.
11. Loosen tensioner lock bolt and pivot tensioner pulley outboard.
12. Retighten tensioner lock bolt. NOTE: Mark timing belt for rotation if it is being reused.
    
13. Remove timing belt.

To Install:
Crankshaft match marks

1. Align marks on timing belt pulley and pump body. Camshaft pulley alignment marks
   
   
2. Align marks on camshaft pulleys with alignment marks on seal plate.
3. Install timing belt. NOTE: No looseness should exist on the tension side and at the camshaft pulleys.
   
4. Loosen tensioner lock bolt.
5. Turn crankshaft 2 revolutions in direction of rotation and check that timing marks are still in alignment.
6. Tighten timing belt tension lock bolt to 27-38 ft lb (32-52 Nm).
7. Apply a force of 22 lbs to timing belt between camshaft sprockets.
   • Belt deflection should measure 0.30-0.33 in (7.5-8.5 mm)
   NOTE: Replace tensioner spring if timing belt deflection is excessive.
   Timing Belt Installation
   
   
8. Install lower timing belt cover.
9. Install upper timing belt cover.
10. Install power steering drive belt and adjust belt tension.
11. Install fan pulley.
12. Install generator drive belt and adjust belt tension.
13. Install A/C drive belt and adjust belt tension.
14. Install splash guard.
15. Install fan and fan shroud.
16. Install 4 fan bolts. Tighten to 24 ft lb (33 Nm).
17. Install fan shroud mounting bolts.
18. Install fresh air duct.
19. Connect hose to resonance chamber.
20. Connect battery negative cable.

all u have to do is take the belt loose look at the tensioner and just see if it has a bolt or whole on the bottom of it when u pull on it will pull over then u slide the belt off then take the bolt out thats above that one and tensioner will come over just revere to install new tensioner be sure to have the alighnment notch on the back of the tensioner in the right whole

These are fun to do for they are easy once you read on.. The tensioner has a square hole on it. The size is 3/8" which a ratchet will fit in perfectly. Have it handy and inserted after you do this next set. On the very top you will see a pully mounted on a bracket by itself. Loosen the center bolt which it will have to be turned clockwise to loosen. This will make it much easier to change your belt for there is no room to change it any other way for the average guy. The ratchet will have full pressure applied by you to remove the belt easily now

Pretty easy for average mech. first drain coolant by loosening the lower radiator hose.
Make sure to have a drain pan. remove the power steering belt by removing the bolts to the idler pulley. and let belt off the pulley.remove the alternator upper bracket. and remove belt.
Take fan shroud off with two 8mm bolts on top oe it.
You cant remove untill you remove the clutch fan assembly.
It is left handed thread.
It has to be removed together.
Remove the four bolts to the pulley on front of water pump. and then remove all 14mm bolts around the pump.
Then remove 8mm bolts and it will be able to come off. assemble in reverse order!

Rotate the engine so that No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. Check that the timing marks are aligned on the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys. An access plug is provided in the cam belt cover so that the camshaft timing can be checked without removal of the cover or any other parts. Set the crankshaft to TDC by aligning the timing mark on the crank pulley with the TDC mark on the belt cover. Look through the access hole in the belt cover to make sure that the timing mark on the cam drive sprocket is lined up with the pointer on the inner belt cover.

1. Loosen the alternator retaining bolts and remove the drive belt from the pulleys. Remove the water pump pulley.
2. Loosen and position the power steering pump mounting bracket and position it aside.
3. Remove the four timing belt outer cover retaining bolts and remove the cover. Remove the crankshaft pulley and belt guide.
4. Loosen the belt tensioner pulley assembly, then position a camshaft belt adjuster tool (T74P-6254-A or equivalent) on the tension spring rollpin and retract the belt tensioner away from the timing belt. Tighten the adjustment bolt to lock the tensioner in the retracted position.
5. Remove the timing belt.

To install:

1. Install the new belt over the crankshaft sprocket and then counterclockwise over the auxiliary and camshaft sprockets, making sure the lugs on the belt properly engage the sprocket teeth on the pulleys. Be careful not to rotate the pulleys when installing the belt.
2. Release the timing belt tensioner pulley, allowing the tensioner to take up the belt slack. If the spring does not have enough tension to move the roller against the belt (belt hangs loose), it might be necessary to manually push the roller against the belt and tighten the bolt.

The spring cannot be used to set belt tension; a wrench must be used on the tensioner assembly.

1. Rotate the crankshaft two complete turns by hand (in the normal direction of rotation) to remove the slack from the belt, then tighten the tensioner adjustment and pivot bolts to specifications. Refer to the necessary illustrations. Make sure the belt is seated properly on the pulleys and that the timing marks are still in alignment when No. 1 cylinder is again at TDC/compression.
2. Install the crankshaft pulley and belt guide.
3. Install the timing belt cover.
4. Install the water pump pulley and fan blades. Install upper radiator hose if necessary. Refill the cooling system.
5. Position the alternator and drive belts, then adjust and tighten it to specifications.
6. Start the engine and check the ignition timing. Adjust the timing, if necessary.

sorry mate, you will have to remove the crankshaft pulley to be able to remove the cover to gain access to the belt.
If you can't gain access to the pulley bolt or bolts, you will have to remove the radiator, remember to save the coolant if you don't want to spend money on new.

1.If it is an automatic vehicle, remove the starter and block the engine at the ring gear while someone loosen the bolts. If it is a petrol engine, shift it into 3rd gear and hold the brakes while someone loosen the bolt or bolts.
2.Remove the pulley, if it does not move off easily you will need a puller to remove it, do not hit the pulley you will distort it or brake it.
3.Remove the covers and use a tippex pen to make reference marks on the pulleys and the block and head, even if you know how to set up the timing it is good practice to do so, if you get stuck you will be able to use the marks to line up the toothed pulleys to the marks.
4.Now remove the belt and the tensioner pulley ALWAYS REPLACE THE TENTIONER PULLEY the bearings will not last another belt service.
5.Pull the tensioner pulley against its spring and lock it up, this makes belt installment easier.

Install new belt and if possible replace crank and cam seals, its only good practice