Where to buy a manually adjustable tensioner

[EDGE Motorsport]

Hi all....

Ive got a 96 saleen with a novi 2000 that hasnt driven more than 25 miles in the past 3 years... the reason for that is the belt is FAR too tight and is causing a grinding sound in the blower casing. If i reach in with a ratchet and lean on the tensioner to loosen it, (as it i were removing the belt)with the motor runing this is, the blower noise stops completely... if i lean on it more it starts to slip and squeel... the tensioner is the stock ford item and the belt was supplied with the kit and is 113" long.

so my question is can you buy a manually adjustable belt tensioner which can be dialed in to place less tension on the belt than the stock tensioner? Or do I start fitting longer belts and try to find the sweet spot...

belts are available in 113, 113.2 114, 114.5 115, 117 and 117.5 inches. i was thinking of starting at the 114.5 and see where that puts me...

so, tensioner or belt? please bear in mind that im in the uk so getting parts from a ford dealer isnt an option...... which blows.... even the belts have to come from summit as no cars over here use a 6 rib belt anywhere near as long...

any help would be greatly appreciated, i desperately want to drive the car as I'm running out of summer, but im not prepared to drive it as it is and risk the tension dmaging every bearing in sight!!!

thanks

 

[blubullett]

Just get a little longer belt and you will be fine.

 

[blubullett]

Or a smaller pulley

 

[EDGE Motorsport]

how little bit longer are we talking, the next one up is 4mm longer, i was thinking an inch longer would be the place to start... any tips ?

 

[blubullett]

I would try the inch longer, an inch makes a big difference. They will also stretch out a bit if you put some miles on it. Mine was so tight when I put it on I had to have a friend help me slide it on the water pump.

 

[StangYellow]

A belt tensioner is spring loaded to apply pressure as the belt stretches. There is no such thing as a manually adjustabvle tensioner. Buy a longer belt.... just dont come into my store today buying 8 belts and returning 7 of them.