• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

Whipple/Thump_rrr tensioner owners -- advice needed.

  • Thread starter Thread starter white07gt-cs
  • Start date Start date Dec 20, 2009

white07gt-cs

New Member
Dec 20, 2006
103
0
0
Dec 20, 2009
#1
  • Dec 20, 2009
  • #1
I have tried to get an answer to this question with very little response so I hope someone here can help me out.

I had my belt break and it only had about 1500 miles on it. After reading everything I could find on several forums, this is not an uncommon problem. From what I've read, the ablility for a S/C engine to rev much quicker along with the additional load on the belt/tensioner from driving the blower's rotating element overwhelms the stock tensioner which is prone to flexing, bending or even breaking due to the extra load which it was never designed for. Add to the above that I installed an aluminum flywheel which allows the engine to change rpm even quicker, and the belt said "screw it, Can't hang no more".

So I purchased and installed a new Whipple heavy duty tensioner, ie; Thump_RRR tensioner which I hope fixes this problem. I went from the one on the right to the one on the left in the pic below,



My question is; where should the belt ride on the tensioner pulley. Mine is riding right on the very outer edge of the pulley. Is this normal? Should I be concerned enough to have the mounting plate milled so the belt will ride closer to the middle of the pulley?

This is how the belt is riding on the new tensioner/pulley:





Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can provide.
 
F

fallenauthority

New Member
Jun 28, 2009
72
0
0
Hughesville, MD
Dec 20, 2009
#2
  • Dec 20, 2009
  • #2
It looks as if it is designed to allow you to use an 8 rib setup as well. Which would be a much wider belt compared to our 6 ribs. It looks like it would be normal if it is designed to be able to use 8 rib also.
 

white07gt-cs

New Member
Dec 20, 2006
103
0
0
Dec 20, 2009
#3
  • Dec 20, 2009
  • #3
fallenauthority said:
It looks as if it is designed to allow you to use an 8 rib setup as well. Which would be a much wider belt compared to our 6 ribs. It looks like it would be normal if it is designed to be able to use 8 rib also.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I thought about that too, but even an eight rib belt would be running on the outer edge of the pulley I think.
 
F

fallenauthority

New Member
Jun 28, 2009
72
0
0
Hughesville, MD
Dec 20, 2009
#4
  • Dec 20, 2009
  • #4
yes it would but it wouldnt look so off due to the fact that the 8 rib would take up more room on the empty side of the pulley. It wouldnt be such a huge gap to make it look as bad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
water pump installation questions
  • B0udreaux
  • Feb 5, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
38
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 28, 2026
General karthief
T
What's it Worth? 2002 GT conv/auto
  • tonydetesta
  • Jan 7, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
3
Views
643
What is it Worth?!?!? Jan 21, 2026
Mustang5L5
1
Engine Motor swap from a 2003 Explorer
  • 1996mustang new
  • Oct 9, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
601
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 16, 2025
squeak93
M
Progress Thread mnky99 2001 V6 evap core, ac compressor, heater core replacement
  • mnky99
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
515
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
Tightening upper control arm bushings at ride height dilemma… need some help
  • AnthonyA1234
  • Dec 27, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
51
Views
5K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 27, 2025
General karthief
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?