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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: fe66comet on January 11, 2013, 10:38:08 AM

Title: serpentine belt tensioner?
Post by: fe66comet on January 11, 2013, 10:38:08 AM

As I am looking over tensioners I see some age manual, some auto. Is this due to placement? I would assume the manual would go on the driven side and the auto would go go on the slack side? Thanks Jon

Title: Re: serpentine belt tensioner?
Post by: jayb on January 11, 2013, 08:55:54 PM

I think they are all supposed to go on the slack side of the belt.  At least that's what the blower folks told me when I was setting mine up...

Title: Re: serpentine belt tensioner?
Post by: fe66comet on January 11, 2013, 09:07:03 PM

I think I have room between the alternator and crank pulley but I will need an idler below the water pump anyhow for some wrap.

Title: Re: serpentine belt tensioner?
Post by: WConley on January 15, 2013, 12:33:30 AM

Yup - Adjustable tensioner (whether automatic or manual) should always be placed on the slack side.  They are not designed with the rigidity to handle the high loads on the tension side.  The wheel could deflect enough to cause belt wear - or worse!

Title: Re: serpentine belt tensioner?
Post by: fe66comet on January 15, 2013, 09:48:09 AM

That is the same train of thought I had. I am going to have to place an idler or two in there also to get around one of Jays pumps and get enough belt wrap.     Jon :-[