Has anybody ever figured out a way to put an automatic tensioner on a 2.8 serpentine belt yet? Seems to me that since oevery other serpentine drive system I've ever seen has an automatic tensioner, it would be the smart way to go.
That, or change it to a V-type belt, like the AC.
Seems to me that an enterprising person could find worse things to design (Rodney ???)

There are other 2.8s with a belt tensioner, but according to the local dealer, the Fiero 2.8 doesn't have a serpentine belt and that's where the problem is. The way I understand it, you'd have to change all of the pulleys (which would be well worth the cost as far as I'm concerned). I'm looking into that now. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, I'll know more.

As I understand the V6.... The later units use a multi rib serpent style belt.

There are 2 main issues.... thing on is that all V6 are dificult at best to tension a belt on.

Second is that while some V6 use a multi rib belt, it's not considered a serpent system because of the way it's used. "True" serpent setups use both sides of the belt. In 87-88 Fiero 4, only the idler runs on the back but in the FWD version of that motor, the serpent actually drives the water pump with the back of the belt.

A V6 using a multi rib could in theory be converted to an automatic tensioner. The issues are finding a tensioner that can run the right pressure on the belt, a suitable mounting location and physical space. (You need room for the tensioner and space to work a wrench to change belts.) It could be done but likely would not be an easy project.

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.

Well, two replies by two of the people I had hoped would see this...

I think there are two ideal locations for an idler/auto tensioner. One would be on the AC compressor side, especially since mine no longer has AC. That would require a reverse rotation water pump (like most other serpentine (meaning flat, ribbed belt) drive systems. The 3800 I saw in a Bonneville has it this way, with or without AC (according to the underhood sticker).
Or, it could push down on the top belt span, using the existing belt configuration. May ahave some clearance issues with the dog bone mounting bracket, though.
I was thinking abut the V belt conversion, because they normally run less tension, and have more grip area from the sides (or so it appears to me).

I'm just geting sick of dealing with mine. It's as dry as a bone, no oil, anti-freeze, rain, puddles, and a two week old Gatorback belt, and after sitting a week it squealed mercilessly on startup, and didn't want to quit.
It's enough to make me want to drive my Fords (Wait a minute, that's what I've been doing...).
Thoughts???

Whoa! Take it easy, let's not get carried away, I don't want to hear too much of that Ford talk

I think that it would be highly doable, myself. If you had an engine outside of the car that was easy to work on, access to a few different tensioner designs (junk yard), and access to some fabricating equipment, you would be able to do it. I've seen kits made for some weird cars, so I'm sure it's possible. I imagine you could use any tension, I wouldn't worry about that; the tensioner strengths for most standard v6s are close, according to my arm. On some higher powered engines, or systems with really long belts, the tensioner is tighter usually.

I would be in line for helping out with something like this if somebody did it around me, or purchasing it if it was produced. Belt noise erks me like no other...I hate things that make people think less of your car and are so annoying when it's such a small deal.

It would have to be accessible, but not super easy to get to or anything. You rarely have to change serpentine belts, and with the automatic adjustment it would be super low maintenance. There would have to be some thorough testing before selling it if you wanted to do that, as tensioners can wear out quick given the wrong conditions such as being crooked (uneven bearing load) and being exposed to heat or moisture it wasn't designed for.

Anybody ever try anything like this? I really would like to see something happen with this.

Bryce
88 GT