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V6 Belt Idler

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kharmata View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote kharmata Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: V6 Belt Idler
    Posted: 23 August 2010 at 8:02pm

ok - here's an idler I built.  Works like a charm
(once I tweaked/aligned it into place) and eliminates the
need to stretch the *%&@! out of the belt.    BTW  If
you do decide to build this - measure to check if there
is an offset of the alternator bracket (as per Damiens
confirmation there is an offset - approx. 1/4" longer leg
on bottom end).










Mounts across both Alternator bracket bolts.

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Dawg View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Dawg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 August 2010 at 8:19pm
Very nice job.  Everyone in the club with a V6 should build one of these.

It's way more simple than some of the other ideas out there and it will work just as good.

I like it!

DG
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kharmata View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote kharmata Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 August 2010 at 8:33pm

It does work very well - thanks.

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Patrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 August 2010 at 11:16pm

With the extra "wrap" that your idler allows with the belt around the alternator pulley, I'm sure it works great. Well done, Kevin!

I gotta say though, the spring belt tensioner that Dodgerunner makes (as discussed Here) is the best device created for this purpose on the 2.8 bar none.

 

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Romeo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Romeo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 August 2010 at 5:30pm
Is this a belt battle? Does the producer of the better product recieve a championship belt?
Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 August 2010 at 7:17pm

Originally posted by Romeo Romeo wrote:

Is this a belt battle?

I've got an idea, let's all belt Tristan!

It's no battle. It's just great to see that there are various options available which improve on the terrible factory setup.

 

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kharmata View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote kharmata Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 August 2010 at 8:47pm

You guys are funny!   If there is a battle... best to offer up your own design by comparision.  ha ha ha

 Otherwise consider - this cost me about $15.00 to make (not incl. the belt which you have to buy anyways).  Mind you - you need to be somewhat able to weld and drill and grind.  Also I am sure given time and a place i could make mine all pretty painted so it would compare - slightly to the other one

Cheers

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Post Options Post Options   Quote Romeo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2010 at 4:52pm
Bah, pretty is for sissies. So long as it works, which yours does. Way to go on designing and implementing a solution to a mechanical problem that plagues our cars!
Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Capt Fiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2010 at 6:41pm
When you consider this is the same thing as Rodney sells.  http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&a mp;products_id=71 for $78 US plus shipping and taxes, you can build your own for a fraction of that cost, its a hell of a deal no matter how you shake it.
Capt Fiero
88 Fiero GT 5spd V6
Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.
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kharmata View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote kharmata Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 August 2010 at 9:27pm

I knew I had seen one online somwhere - Rodney actually inspired me to try it myself in the first place - thanks Rodney!

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Post Options Post Options   Quote kharmata Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:01pm
Word of caution. I have noticed the new belt i installed, slowly got
stretched and became looser over time. Is this normal? I thought
these belts were designed not too stretch?

Let me rephrase this...

If you find you need to tighten your belt after a little while...it may
have been too tight to begin with.
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Patrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:32pm

Originally posted by kharmata kharmata wrote:

Word of caution. I have noticed the new belt i installed, slowly got stretched and became looser over time. Is this normal? I thought these belts were designed not too stretch.

They stretch.

Kevin, there's good reason why I was promoting the use of the spring belt tensioner made and sold by Dodgerunner. His automatic tensioner is very reasonably priced and it works... and it stays working without any further intervention.

Originally posted by Patrick Patrick wrote:

I gotta say though, the spring belt tensioner that Dodgerunner makes (as discussed Here) is the best device created for this purpose on the 2.8 bar none.

 

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kharmata View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote kharmata Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:42pm
Nothing like salt in the wound. That maybe the case. But
it's been awhile since i did it and i have tightened my
belt slightly once. So........:-P

Actually it's been well over a year and I drive my car lots
cheers
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Dawg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:53pm
These serpentine belts are not supposed to stretch much.  If you've had to do it once I wouldn't worry about it. It should be good for a long while now.

If it continues however then there is a problem.  Usually it means one or more pulleys are wobbling slightly and hammering the belt to death.  The water pump is usually the culprit.

Look at your belt while the engine is running.  Does it look steady or does it vibrate?

The Dawg
 
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kharmata View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote kharmata Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 January 2011 at 8:54pm
Excellent Advice - Thanks!   I will get an update for the
record (after offset is confirmed). I made the middle
support so large around because of the large washer that
came with the pulley, wide flanged bolt and vibration
damper.
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kharmata View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote kharmata Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 January 2011 at 6:05pm
Final detail is the offset for the lower mount.   As dawg measured a
hair over 3/8" i say fine...or make it less and shim it to your liking -
since it's possible that your other components aren't aligned like
mine and adjustment is then required anyways.

Cheers
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