Aftermarket Belt Tensioner Pulley Failure

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Locobob

Hahaha yeah this isn't the first time the modding disease has bit me in the ***, and it probably won't be the last. I am a little more cautious now about making non stock "improvements" though.

Hey Robert,
There are a few of us on here that just won’t leave sh#t alone even if it’s working fine.


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[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Hey Robert,
There are a few of us on here that just won’t leave sh#t alone even if it’s working fine.


Attachment 9708


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I have decided to replace all of my Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulleys with New Stock Belt Tensioner Pulleys.
This in spite of the fact that Jim had a Stock Pulley Cut in half by the Serpentine Belt at 60,000 miles

I use a ratcheting 18mm Box combination wrench (no angle on ratcheting end and since combination I can use another box wrench on open end for leverage).
I can now replace that Belt Tensioner in 10 min more or less (without removing anything else).
I lift the Belt Tensioner (flipping it 180 deg) up between the Alternator pulley and coolant pipe crossover
I use a 14 mm wrench for the Pulley bolt itself.
I do NOT do this job when engine is HOT

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

I have decided to replace all of my Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulleys with New Stock Belt Tensioner Pulleys even though Jim had a Stock Pulley Cut in half by the Serpentine Belt

So is this the official recall of the aluminum belt tensioner pulleys? LOL!!


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[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

So is this the official recall of the aluminum belt tensioner pulleys? LOL!!


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Yes......No recall on Aluminum Water Pump Pulley (which has no Belt Guides and very easy to slip Serpentine Belt off), Aluminum Power Steering pulley, or the Aluminum Alternator Pulley.....Just the Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley Recall

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

Yes......No recall on Aluminum Water Pump Pulley (whcih has no Belt Guides and very easy to slip Serpentine Belt off), Aluminum Power Steering pulley, or the Aluminum Alternator Pulley.....Just the Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley Recall

Okay, I’ll replace mine at the next opportunity too before the UPR CCC (Cheap Chinese Crap....as they call it in Mustang forums) blows up! LOL!



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[Locobob]

I have a new Gates tensioner pulley and belt installed now. I went off Craigs info on the belt size but I found the Gates 815 belt to be a little loose... like I didn't even have to fight to get it on. So I went one size smaller and found the Gates 810 to be a better fit. This is with SRP underdrive pulleys btw, if you have stock pulleys disregard the belt info.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Locobob

I have a new Gates tensioner pulley and belt installed now. I went off Craigs info on the belt size but I found the Gates 815 belt to be a little loose... like I didn't even have to fight to get it on. So I went one size smaller and found the Gates 810 to be a better fit. This is with SRP underdrive pulleys btw, if you have stock pulleys disregard the belt info.

Robert,

Good to hear progress. Sorry if wrong info was given to me years ago when I bought SRP pulleys from Randy. He is straight with info. Be sure your tensioner itself is okay. I still have the cover of the belt I was provided and it was a correct fit. Also double check the part number on the belt itself. Sorry, I'm sure you already know all this.

[Locobob]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Robert,

Good to hear progress. Sorry if wrong info was given to me years ago when I bought SRP pulleys from Randy. He is straight with info. Be sure your tensioner itself is okay. I still have the cover of the belt I was provided and it was a correct fit. Also double check the part number on the belt itself. Sorry, I'm sure you already know all this.

I don't think its a question of Randys list being wrong. I used a Gates belt that was not on the list based on it being an 815 like the Dayco listed. The last three digits on the belt part number are often the belts length in inches... so 815 should be 81.5 inches. In this case I found the .5in shorter Gates 810 to be a better fit.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Locobob

I don't think its a question of Randys list being wrong. I used a Gates belt that was not on the list based on it being an 815 like the Dayco listed. The last three digits on the belt part number are often the belts length in inches... so 815 should be 81.5 inches. In this case I found the .5in shorter Gates 810 to be a better fit.

I agree with you about the numbering system on drive belts and measurement. Glad to hear you got it sorted out and best wishes going forward. I’ll replace mine too before any issues. Thanks again for posting. 🤙🏼



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[2poor4aZR1]

Old thread, but want to say thank you for posting pictures of the back of the tensioner. You'd be surprised how hard it was to find a picture of what the back of the tensioner looks like.