Belt Tensioner

[ProCharger GT]

Does anyone know if Ford makes a steel belt tensioner for 99 GT's? I have a 3 bolt pattern (one at 12:00, one at 3:00 and one at 9:00) - I've managed to bend 1 tensioner and break the spring on two others. I tried to get a billet aluminum tensioner from Thumpr Racing, but the mounting bracket is too thick and is throwing off the alignment of the supercharger with the other pullies. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[ProCharger GT]

Bump

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I ordered one from the dealer on my 96 Cobra. Try the dealer, if not try Lethal Performance, Performance parts for Ford Mustangs

 

[ProCharger GT]

Great, thank you!

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Check into these Thump RRR Racing HD Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner w/76mm Idler [PM-1002-76] : Lethal Performance, Performance parts for Ford Mustangs

And see if they make them for your particular model.

 

[Skud]

Yes, ford does make a steel tensioner - I have one on my car.

It is the "revised" model from the aluminum one. I bought one from Randy when he was still in business. Prepare to spend about $150 though.

Riley

 

[ProCharger GT]

Check into these Thump RRR Racing HD Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner w/76mm Idler [PM-1002-76] : Lethal Performance, Performance parts for Ford Mustangs

And see if they make them for your particular model.

That's the one I have actually - the mounting bracket is too thick. Everything else fits fine. I'm going to call the guys at Thump Racing and see if they can do anything for me before I drop money on something else. If nothing else, I would hope they'd at least accept it as a return.

Skud - do you have a Ford part # for the steel tensioner?

 

[Skud]

I will check to see if I can find it.. I painted it black so I may not be able to see the number..

Riley

 

[ProCharger GT]

Alright, thanks for checking!

 

[Skud]

I have it in front of me now and the part number is F8ZE-6B209-BB.

You may need a few washers to space it out from the timing cover. I have three on each mounting stud.
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[ProCharger GT]

Do you know if the spring inside the steel tensioner is any stronger than that in the aluminum one?

 

[Flghtmstr1]

Why don't you just get an 8-rib setup? Wouldn't cost much more (if at all) and would help spread out the accessory load, as well as eliminate belt slip.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

That's the one I have actually - the mounting bracket is too thick. Everything else fits fine. I'm going to call the guys at Thump Racing and see if they can do anything for me before I drop money on something else. If nothing else, I would hope they'd at least accept it as a return.

Skud - do you have a Ford part # for the steel tensioner?

Thump Racing...just saw their ad this morning...any luck?

 

[ProCharger GT]

Why don't you just get an 8-rib setup? Wouldn't cost much more (if at all) and would help spread out the accessory load, as well as eliminate belt slip.

Already have an 8 rib setup and still have slip past 6K RPM and busted the spring in my 2nd tensioner.

 

[ProCharger GT]

Thump Racing...just saw their ad this morning...any luck?

The product is definitely high quality, I've been waiting to send it back till I can see if a steel tensioner will fix the problem (difference between sending it back and having them machine down the mounting bracket vs. returning it for the steel tensioner). The tensioner I have from them is for 2005+ Mustangs, because the mounting bracket is the same as the one I currently use, but because the bracket is more thick it throws off everything. If it wasn't for that, it would fit perfectly.

 

[Flghtmstr1]

Already have an 8 rib setup and still have slip past 6K RPM and busted the spring in my 2nd tensioner.

My bad. I did a cursory check for whether you already had an 8-rib setup before posting that, and didn't find anything.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

The product is definitely high quality, I've been waiting to send it back till I can see if a steel tensioner will fix the problem (difference between sending it back and having them machine down the mounting bracket vs. returning it for the steel tensioner). The tensioner I have from them is for 2005+ Mustangs, because the mounting bracket is the same as the one I currently use, but because the bracket is more thick it throws off everything. If it wasn't for that, it would fit perfectly.

Yeah that sucks. Definately don't want to throw a belt when you are away from home. I shredded 3 out of 6 ribs once. I managed to trim the flaps of belt that were hanging and I got home.

Don't know why it happened. I had the steel tensioner, I just think maybe I got an old belt that was sitting in Vortec's warehouse for a while. I didn't change anything but the belt when I got home, and it never happened again over the next 4 years/10,000 miles. My tensioner, my shop/tuner said they ordered it from the dealer...that's why originally suggested the dealer. That was in 2004 though, so 5 years things can change.

 

[99RioRedVert]

I recently was in the market for a new tensioner. I went to my local Ford parts counter and they wanted $250 for the steel one. They had the al. one in stock so I got that one, for < $100.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

250 isn't bad when comparing that to what they want for aluminum ones on the internet. 350-450 is insane.

 

[ProCharger GT]

I just need something that works, these belts are like $82 and I already tore up the one. I'm going to try that steel tensioner on Monday...