Belt Tensioner

[avenger]

Hello guys,
Not that my belt tensioner is bad or anything.. but just in case i need it in the future when putting penetrating grease in it when i change the belt doesnt work anymore.. where the heck do i get one for a 91 ranger with a 2.3? Non A/c With power steering. Mine has a square hole for a breaker bar or what have you to tension it..and the pulley is non removable..it seems to be just riveted on or something..i just need to know that way i can buy one and stash it for when i may need it.
Thanks,
John

 

[Mark_88]

It may be the same as later years...check LMC for the part and see what years it covers...

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/FR/full.aspx?Page=114

As you can see, this lists some parts (pulleys) for 1988 through 1997...but I can't see from that what part it refers to...

Anyway...junkyard should have them but they are getting scarce...

I've never actually had a problem with one going out but I've heard of it happening...picking up a spare doesn't hurt if you have a place to store it.

 

[avenger]

I mean if one the auto adjust ones just bolt on... great.. the #2 one looks a lot like it from my remeberance.. but its a serp belt not V of course like the pulley looks..but if the bracket is the same just slap a serp pulley on and go with it id assume .. mine actually has the two bolts that one has the opening for it to pivot on and one just helps lock it down.. ill try to take some pics tomorrow when its light out

 

[Mark_88]

Pics might help...I forgot about the V groove pulleys...my 1988 had that style but the 96 had the flat serpentine style and I've seen those on many Ford engines.

As a note...on my 96 I wanted to remove the AC and PS and I found that could be done easily as long as I got the correct shorter length belt. It was actually a bit too short but I managed to get it on and it ran and the alt and water pump worked...

Just be a bit careful going that route because if you put too much tension on the water pump pulley it can damage the bearing or seal and result in a much more expensive repair. The belt should slip over the pulley and not require much force...

 

[tomw]

The tensioner for the serpentine equipped 2.3, power-nothing, no A/C, is or was available from Amazon. I found a Delco part listed as fitting '89-up that fit perfectly on my 85. As I remember, there were 3 or 4 other sources in addition to the ACDelco listing.
Rock will sell you a tensioner pulley - period. No bolt, no rivet, nothing but the pulley and swear it fits an 85. The 85 is riveted. No 'shoulder bolt' to remove to R&R the pulley and bearings. They did not want my input that it didn't fit. "It's listed, it must be right."
Anyway, remove it, scrape off all the gunk to get the stamped FoMoCo part number, and search for that. Memory says there were 3 bolts, two for mount, and one for tension adjustment. Use a 1/2" drive into the square hole to adjust tension, then tighten the slotted bolt and the two other mount bolts.
By now, if you search for your vintage, they might come back 'nothing listed...', but use the part number and you may find what you need.
tom