2.3L ('83-'97) Automatic Belt Tensioner 2.3

[Sighter]

I'm getting a lot of belt squeel on my 1991 2.3 Manual. A few years later Ford added an Automatic tensioner. Before I spend a day at the PNP, does anybody know if a tensioner from a newer 2.3 would just bolt up on the existing older 2.3? They put the 2.3 in a lot of vehicles for a long time. Anybody tried?

 

[scotts90ranger]

The biggest problem you're going to find is the complete frontend was switched around about the same time... I don't know when the alternator moved from the drivers side to the passenger side but I think it's about when the auto tensioner was put in... but I think it also correlates to when they redid a bunch of the front end for the different crank sensor in '95 which I think moved some holes for bracket mounting...

I feel you, the adjusting idler on my '90 is shot and not made anymore... I'm going to have to get creative.

 

[Sighter]

Thanks. Look for a 2.3 pre 95, but post automatic tensioner. A Saturday at the PNP in my future.