Belt Tensioner

[vettn71]

My drvive belt is starting to squeal when the engine's cold. I seem to remember a post about which belt tensioner pulley was the best. I think it was from Auto Zone, but I can't find the post to verify. Any thoughts on this?

Jim

[Pete]

Jim,Auto Zone only has the idler #231084 not the tensioner go to www.AutoZone.com (http://www.AutoZone.com)
If you need the tensioner with idler you will have to get it from ebay for $100-$150.
Hope this helps.

Pete

[Sgreg]

My drvive belt is starting to squeal when the engine's cold. I seem to remember a post about which belt tensioner pulley was the best. I think it was from Auto Zone, but I can't find the post to verify. Any thoughts on this?

Jim

PM sent.

[ZR1Vette]

You are looking for this>>
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/MRBLU/ZR1Belttensioner.jpg

The LT5 has a specific tensioner (almost 180 deg opposite in tension arm movement) of the other C4 tensioners)... thus your problem will be finding one. Ebay..no; Ecklers..no; Corvette Central...no; Mid America...no; White Racing Products...zero in stock..

Buying a used one from a parted car should only be done if your's is shot...these things will loose tension causing the surpentine belt to highly flex and eventually fail.

[White Bullet]

If you need the tensioner check out this link I found on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-91-92-93-94-95-Corvette-ZR1-LT5-Belt-Tensioner-GM_W0QQitemZ390032313742QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item390032313742&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A64|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-91-92-93-94-95-Corvette-ZR1-LT5-Belt-Tensioner-GM_W0QQitemZ390032313742QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item390032313742&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A64%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

[ZR1Vette]

Well...so much for ebay search engine... thanks for correcting... vettn71...that is what you need.

[Glen R Perronne]

Tap out the old bearing and take it to auto parts store and replace it .(it is a cheap and easy fix)

[ZR1Vette]

That works if it a bearing failure, but also these 'tensioners' start to loose their tensioning ability (spring wears) thus the need on some situations to replace entire unit

[vettn71]

Thanks to all for the responses. I'm taking two appraoches to the problem. I bought a tensioner assembly from Sgreg (thanks, Greg) and I went to Auto Zone and bought a pulley ($22.95, thank you very much). The pulley fro AZ does not have the depression for the belt (it's smooth on top), so I may take Glenn's advice and try to swap bearings. If that does not fix the problem, then I'll try replacing the tensioner assembly. Anyone know if the lack of depression on the pulley will make a difference?

Jim

[Paul Workman]

The pulley fro AZ does not have the depression for the belt (it's smooth on top), so I may take Glenn's advice and try to swap bearings. If that does not fix the problem, then I'll try replacing the tensioner assembly. Anyone know if the lack of depression on the pulley will make a difference?

Jim

So far it hasn't made any difference! I replaced mine last summer with a pully for an LTx motor - no guides. That has been many a 7-grand run-up and a few pleasure trips ago - no problems so far.;) I kept the original pully "just in case".

P.