I'm going to be ordering another spring belt tensioner for a GT I'll be working on sometime in the future, and I wondered if anyone else would like me to order one for them. It'll save us all a few bucks if we order several at once.

First though, I'll explain what the heck I'm talking about if you aren't familiar with these tensioners.

A couple of years ago when I got my '86 GT, one of the first things I installed on it was a spring belt tensioner. This device is what should've been on all 2.8 - 3.4 GM engines right from the factory. No more constant belt adjustments. No more belt squealing in the rain. It does what it's supposed to do. Perfectly. And it's easy to install.

I bought it from Dodgerunner on http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/fiero/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro - Pennock's Fiero Forum . He makes several devices for Fiero owners, all top notch.

The thread describing his spring belt tensioner is http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/039384.html - Here .

The price list and more details are http://home.windstream.net/dodgerunner/Fiero1_files/BracketInfo.html - Here .

What will a spring belt tensioner and bracket do for you ? - Alternator position is set by the bracket and never has to be changed again. - Constant spring tension prevents overload on bearings making the water pump and alternator last longer. - Stops belt squeals when wet or damp. Full 180+ degree contact with alternator pulley. - Change/replace your belt in minutes. - Don’t have to over tighten the lower alternator bolt possibly breaking the bracket. - Bracket arm can correct issues with some broken lower alternator mounts. - Never readjust your belt due to stretching * Works on all stock V6 Fieros. (This includes the Camaro 3.4PR conversion)

This is what the tensioner looks like when installed...

And this is the actual custom bracket that Dodgerunner makes...

The bracket can be ordered by itself, or it can be ordered as a kit complete with the tensioner and belt. I bought the tensioner and belt separately on eBay (and saved a minimal amount), but in retrospect it's probably not worth the added hassle. However, the option is there if you wish.

As I stated at the start of this post, if several brackets or kits are ordered together, Dodgerunner will knock a few dollars off the shipping costs. I have a friend's address in Blaine Washington I use for US purchases, so that saves even more on shipping expenses. (No taxes, no duty.)

I'm going to be ordering another one of these brackets in a few weeks/months (whether anyone else is interested in buying a tensioner or not). I'm just putting the word out there that I don't mind helping to save club members a few dollars if anyone else is interested.

So, if you are interested and/or have a question, let's hear about it...

I want to figure out why my belt is squeeling first. The tension is fine, so I want to find the root issue.

Romeo wrote: I want to figure out why my belt is squeeling first. The tension is fine, so I want to find the root issue.

Have you loosened the belt and checked to see if both the alternator and water pump spin freely?

Make sure your pulleys are clean. The grooves can be filled with crud and cause slippage since the belt can't bottom out.

These are also 20+ year old pulley so are worn.

The other main reason is the lack of wrap on the Alt. pulley. Not enough contact area.

Well, the alternator and it's pulley are both fairly new (I frankensteined it together - it was beautiful) and it spins freely. Water pump is fairly new, I'll have to check it though. And thanks for the tip about the grooves being dirty. I'm going to feel rather silly if that's all it is. lol

Romeo wrote: I'll have to check it though...

Anything to report?

Just bumping this to the top before our club meeting Saturday in case anyone is interested and wishes to ask questions about the belt tensioner at the meeting.

There are several club members who have this device on their Fieros, so it'll be possible to get feedback from numerous people.

One final bump before I place my order for a tensioner bracket from Dodgerunner...

Romeo wrote: Sorry brother, still count this one out.

No need to apologize. It really makes no difference to me (other than perhaps a saving of five bucks in shipping for myself) if no one else is interested in buying a belt tensioner.

I was just genuinely interested in trying to do other club members a favor by placing a "group" order for a product that I know works very very well and having it shipped to a friend's place in Blaine (which would've also saved club members on taxes, duty and brokerage fees).

So whatever happens is cool by me.

LOL, maybe its just that I am still asleep, but I skimmed the post and could not see the price breakdown.

        I am pretty sure Tim will be interested in a full kit, bracket, tensioner and belt. 

Let me know the cost break downs and I'll let him know.

Oh P.S. I have installed this on a members car and they love it.  The install is fairly easy.  Its much faster if you have air tools and an air ratchet, but can be done in about an hour with just plain hand tools, just make sure that you only take one bolt out at a time, and don't jostle the alternator bracket too much during install.  Its a royal pain in the butt to get the lower alternator/motor mount bolt re-installed if you mess up the alignment.

       I also highly recommend, taking a non soapy SOS pad and cleaning all the pulleys on your engine before you install this. 

Capt Fiero wrote: LOL, maybe its just that I am still asleep, but I skimmed the post and could not see the price breakdown.

From my first post...

Patrick wrote: The price list and more details are http://home.windstream.net/dodgerunner/Fiero1_files/BracketInfo.html - Here .

The price saving to a club member placing an order through me at this time will be about five dollars off the shipping charges to the US (shipping charges to Canada would obviously be higher) plus whatever the taxes, duty and brokerage fees would've been (but won't be as I'm having the shipment sent to Blaine, Washington).

Dave, don't worry about it. There's absolutely no hurry.

[EDIT] As of July 5th, I still haven't placed the order as I won't need a second bracket for awhile. So if anyone thinks they might've lost out on being able to order, they haven't!