My tensioner pulley is making all kinds of rattling and metallic clicking noises and I am pretty certain it is dieing. I've never changed one of these before, how do you release the tensioner arm? Is a special tool needed? Once the tensioner arm is loose do you just unbolt the pulley, and are either of these reverse thread?

Thanks in advance for any help with this.[/align]

loosen of the bolt on the tensioner a bit then push it down. You can do it with a rachet extension ro get in there easier.

1/2 " breaker bar really helps to
move the tensioner arm down,
then you can slip the belt off the
alternator with the other hand

My tensioner pulley is starting to squeak on me.. Or maybe it's the idler.. I don't know. Either way, one of those is squeaking. Where can a replacement be had? Is it a dealer only part, or is there anyone who makes a higher-quality aftermarket one??

You need a 1/2 inch rachet with a pipe or breaker bar to attach to the tensioner arm in order to release the tension. Push on your rachet and slip the belt off the alternator. Once you remove the belt you can slowly release pressure on your rachet and then just unbolt the tensioner. 3 bolts, 18 foot lbs when reinstalling it.

How do you know the noise is coming from your tensioner? There's really not much there to fail.

I don't know if you were talking to me or the OP, but mine is a squeaking that goes away as it warms up. I've stuck my head under there SEVERAL times when it was cold and listened. It's definitely coming from the passenger side. Beyond that, I'm guessing it's the tensioner or idler, since the only other supercharged S197 around here locally has also had tensioner issues..

Moosestang:

Thanks for the advice on releasing the belt tension. I am 90%+ certain that it is the idler pulley because I used an automotive stethoscope to isolate where the source of the noise was coming from while the engine was running. The noise through the stethoscope was much louder from the tensioner pulley, you could actually hear the metal “grating” within the pulley. The other pulleys where much quieter, though the idler pulley was a little noisy, I’m thinking of replacing it also while I’m at it.



ORIGINAL: moosestang

You need a 1/2 inch rachet with a pipe or breaker bar to attach to the tensioner arm in order to release the tension. Push on your rachet and slip the belt off the alternator. Once you remove the belt you can slowly release pressure on your rachet and then just unbolt the tensioner. 3 bolts, 18 foot lbs when reinstalling it.

How do you know the noise is coming from your tensioner? There's really not much there to fail.

I changed the tensioner pulley last night, it was a breeze. Thanks for the help guys it made it easy.

ORIGINAL: MC Stang

I changed the tensioner pulley last night, it was a breeze. Thanks for the help guys it made it easy.


WHERE DID YOU GET IT?!?

ORIGINAL: exx1976

ORIGINAL: MC Stang

I changed the tensioner pulley last night, it was a breeze. Thanks for the help guys it made it easy.


WHERE DID YOU GET IT?!?


I don't know if he swapped the stock tensioner pulley or the whole tensioner, but you can actually use a 90mm idler pulley on the tensioner. Whipple has you do this with the 10psi pulley and replace your 90mm idler pulley with the 100mm that comes with the kit. All that does is take up more slack from the belt.

Ok, but where can I get the pulley???? Is it a dealer-only part, or is there an aftermarket one available that's better than the stock one?

I'm guessing dealer only. The 100mm idler that comes with the whipple looks just like the stock pulleys. It's probably from another ford.

ORIGINAL: exx1976

Ok, but where can I get the pulley???? Is it a dealer-only part, or is there an aftermarket one available that's better than the stock one?

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntt=idler+pulley&N=700+4294908331+42 94806411+115+4294908282&Ntk=KeywordSearch

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/gtr-49001_w.jpg

If you are going to get a new tensioner I would get the Thumprr, or Adam's Frankentensioner. Last one you will ever buy.

Mine squeaks until warm up and then it is silent. I read by many (inc modaddict) it is normal and may go away in a few thousand miles. To get rid of it you might want to get an 8 rib belt kit and/or a new tensioner (nice billet aluminum piece) PM me for details! J

Others have just made sure it was torqued down right and it went away....mine you cannot get any tighter!


ORIGINAL: exx1976

I don't know if you were talking to me or the OP, but mine is a squeaking that goes away as it warms up. I've stuck my head under there SEVERAL times when it was cold and listened. It's definitely coming from the passenger side. Beyond that, I'm guessing it's the tensioner or idler, since the only other supercharged S197 around here locally has also had tensioner issues..

ORIGINAL: MustangGT0405

If you are going to get a new tensioner I would get the Thumprr, or Adam's Frankentensioner. Last one you will ever buy.


I just ordered the Thump_rrr racing tensioner. As always, I'll post a full review after it is installed. (Thanks myGT500 for getting me in touch with thump.)

ORIGINAL: hammeron

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/gtr-49001_w.jpg


Thanks, hammy!! I printed it out, but I'm having a helluva time bolting it onto the car..

mygt500 - PM sent.

ORIGINAL: nineinchnail1024



I just ordered the Thump_rrr racing tensioner. As always, I'll post a full review after it is installed. (Thanks myGT500 for getting me in touch with thump.)


Well, how much was it?

If anyone is looking for the 100mm idler pulley that comes with the whipple kit, it's made by dayco and the part number is 89055.

$350 + $20 shipping. Not bad when you consider that it is the ONLY brand that has yet to be broken by anybody. Group buys seem out of the question. It's a popular product.

:D

sorry, there's a special tool needed, i'll
see if i can find a pic [8D]


ORIGINAL: exx1976

ORIGINAL: hammeron

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/gtr-49001_w.jpg


Thanks, hammy!! I printed it out, but I'm having a helluva time bolting it onto the car..

mygt500 - PM sent.

I agree and remember that it is billet aluminum (not cheap) and should take care of any worrys about HP loss and belt slip! Exx1976 PM sent .....Nineinchnail1024- you just helped push me to buy it sooner anyway so thank you in helping me fall off the wagon and start modding again!:D
come on stimulus check!
ORIGINAL: nineinchnail1024

$350 + $20 shipping. Not bad when you consider that it is the ONLY brand that has yet to be broken by anybody. Group buys seem out of the question. It's a popular product.

exx1976: Sorry for not responding sooner. I bought the pulley only at Auto Zone. You can buy the whole assembly for about $50.

Crap! the noise came back after disappearing!! Maybe it is because my belt is too loose causing vibration in the pulley, you know, like slop in the sytem. I have Roush underdrive pulleys with the original belt. Could that do it?? Frustrated.

$350.00 OMG!!!! A stock new one is only $68.00, you could break a few of them before you "broke" even. LOL I tourched mine this morning and will need to getA new one.

Alright, so here's the deal. The thump_rrr tensioner is definitely bulletproof, but I did have some hiccups with the install that were my fault.I installed it on the 16th and immediately realized that the pulley that comes on the thump_rrr would not be compatible with the whipple HO. If anyone wants to run a thump_rrr tensioner with the whipple HO, you'll need to visit your local friendly ford parts dealership and purchase a 90mm 8 rib pulley (part # F65Z8678AAA). It will run you about 15 bucks. I bought the pulley, installed it on the thump_rrr, and reinstalled the belt. Started up the car and shredded my belt immediately. Turns out, I hadn't set the belt into the grooves on the power steering pump (my buddy was trying to tell me not to start the car when he noticed, but it was a split second to late) and the car decided to spit the belt across my front yard in defiance. So, I had to order a new gates belt and wait for it to be delivered (and cancel a dyno tune appointment in the meantime). When the new belt came in, I installed it CAREFULLY and CORRECTLY and beat the ever living hell out of the car. This tensioner WILL NOT BREAK, and as a bonus, I'm seeing slightly more boost at WOT. Definitely a thumbs up product.

OK....question I have for you Nineinchnail1024 is does the pulley that comes with the tensioner all metal or look like the one displayed below in the first pic ....I noticed on another forum that the one JDM now sells has what looks like the one below and the pics of one I saw was what appeared to be billet aluminum and for an 8-rib setup?(second pic) So it is no problem running a 6 rib setup with an 8 rib pulley? just checking before I make my order with Thumper_rrr! and why did it not come with the right pulley in the first place? Thanks J
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/gtr-49001_w.jpg
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10325/normal_Mod1.jpg

Ok update on the squeaking issue...it appears as if it is coming from the driver's side (or towards that side anyway) and it is almost gone (just a little on start up{few seconds} as opposed to a few minutes). Now which pulley is that? the idler pulley? and if so I guess I will just go 8 rib setup and the tensioner and call it the day:D (expensive though[:'(])...but looks so nice and will match the polished whipple as well;)
http://www.bggperformance.com/images/whipple.jpg


http://www.bggperformance.com/images/pulley.jpg

What the hell? Why do my replies keep getting deleted from this thread?