Original belt tensioner questions

[MN_Stang]

I tried to use a 14" breaker bar to loosen the tensioner and it appears to be frozen solid. Those should move pretty easily with a breaker bar, correct? I was using almost all my force and nothing. I didn't think those could seize up like that. I even tried some PB Blaster to no avail.

If it is frozen up, I noticed the replacement parts look nothing like the old style. Plastic wheel, no lips on the wheel, etc. Even the included new bolt looks thinner. Do you guys trust these replacement tensioners? Seems like there's not really any repairing of the original?

Old and replacement pics below.

[Broncojunkie]

I've replaced several of these over the years...both oem and aftermarket. I started upgrading to the March-style kits a few yrs ago.

[wraithracing]

Yes, the old units can freeze up in the down position due to rust, corrosion, etc. Soaking it in a Rust Removal solution might free it up again. Now how well it tensions the belt might be an issue. The replacements work and don't really cause any issues, but obviously don't look correct. If you are going for period correct you will most likely need to find someone that can rebuild your unit or find a good used one to replace it with. Good Luck!

[gr79]

what i read is depends on what side of the belt rides on the pulley.
no flange pulley for back side of belt
flanged pulley for ribbed side
Most flanged pulleys are smooth inside, some have ribs. Most are plastic.
The pulley can be measured and changed out if correct tensioner assy is not found.

[fgross2006]

I tried to use a 14" breaker bar to loosen the tensioner and it appears to be frozen solid. Those should move pretty easily with a breaker bar, correct? I was using almost all my force and nothing. I didn't think those could seize up like that. I even tried some PB Blaster to no avail.

If it is frozen up, I noticed the replacement parts look nothing like the old style. Plastic wheel, no lips on the wheel, etc. Even the included new bolt looks thinner. Do you guys trust these replacement tensioners? Seems like there's not really any repairing of the original?

Old and replacement pics below.

I have an original tensioner on mine too. I was lucky and found a NOS original on ebay but I still held on to my original because all it needs is to replace the pulley and bearing.

But as I recall, I used a 3 foot long pry-bar through the loop in the tensioners frame. 14 inches just wont give you enough leverage to move it.

[gr79]

2012 replaced s-belt idler pulley on the ranger. belt was making a ticking sound. Still quiet.
Local NAPA warehouse had many sizes and types in stock. No waiting and hoping.
Went online to compare specs, then went there with the part number.
many sizes were used for the truck that year.
also did the tensioner. Gates. They make oe tensioners too.

[MN_Stang]

But as I recall, I used a 3 foot long pry-bar through the loop in the tensioners frame. 14 inches just wont give you enough leverage to move it.

Wow, maybe my tensioner isn’t even broken/seized?

I used my smaller breaker bar because my larger one as well as my crowbar wouldn’t fit in the little hole on the tensioner tab.

its been a while since I replaced a belt on those old style tensioners, but I could have swore I changed one in an emergency in a parking lot with limited tools. I thought it went pretty easily with like a long screw driver.

even with the 14” breaker, I felt like I was moving the whole engine slightly with the mount of force, yet the tensioner didn’t budge.

[Hans]

BroncoJunky,
That March bracket,
Would that be usable if I have just an alternator, waterpump and steering pump remaining on my engine?
Would a non reverse Waterpump be an option?
My tensioner and waterpump need replaced both.
Thanks in advance!

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[Broncojunkie]

BroncoJunky,
That March bracket,
Would that be usable if I have just an alternator, waterpump and steering pump remaining on my engine?
Would a non reverse Waterpump be an option?
My tensioner and waterpump need replaced both.
Thanks in advance!

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They actually have another kit that includes the power steering pump bracket, but it should work with the oem power steering bracket as well. That's how I did it on my 88gt.

[at_the_junkyard]

FWIW my son's 80 cobra with the original tensioner was completely seized up too and I could not budge it or very little etc. Looks the same as the one in your pics.

I ended up just getting a replacement tensioner that also looks like the one in the pictures but I think it came from an 87 or 88 5.0 junkyard car. It fit in the original alternator bracket with no issues. I usually put a wrench on the bolt head on the pulley and pull on it from the passenger side and it lifts the tensioner/pulley fairly easy.

Also found out the hard way that the bolt on the pulley end was a reverse thread. I assume so it does not work loose spinning normal direction. Ruined another tensioner that way before I realized why it was so tight

[Hans]

Thanks for your answer.

Hans.

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