Larry's Fiero Dilemmas

[Wreck It Ralph]

I personally think the auto tensioner was a god send in the auto industry but that's just my professional opinion. and i hate adjusting belts.

[Fierofool]

The spring tensioner will be more user-friendly in the future when you must replace driven components or the belt itself. 

[PK]

I have dodgerunners kit and it was easy to fit, though I was already doing stuff in that vicinity which may have made it easier.  There are destructions in his thread on PFF.  I think he sent me a copy of destructions when purchased if you need em.

I haven't seen Sir Rodney's kit but I am sure it will be up to the normal excellent RD standards.

What a lovely dilemma/choice to have

[montegut]

I installed Dodgerunner’s kit over the summer and love it. Not too hard to do. Figured I would upgrade the alternator while in there. I had a lot more trouble getting the old alternator out than installing the kit. Thought about Rodney’s but went with Dodgerunner.

[GTRS Fiero]

Rodney sells great stuff.  That having been stated, the tensioner pulley is the way to go.

[GTRS Fiero]

There is an article on the idler and tensioner in the July 2019 newsletter.

If you do the install, an install article would be nice.

[NoMad]

The dodge runner kit was easy to install and is a complete solution to the problem.

[scottb]

My 86 has somebodys kit on it, but it would constantly squeal anytime someone spit on the road. Replacing the splash shields fixed it

[Fierofool]

If it was spring loaded it was Dodgerunners.  Otherwise it was Rodney's.   

My 86 had Rodney's pulley on the old engine and it was removed when its first new engine was installed after I bought it, due to squealing.

Not knocking Rodney's products.  I prefer them.  It's just that 1 piece didn't work for me.

[GTRS Fiero]

The tensioner pulley is awesome.

[The Art Doctor]

Looks like it will be Dodgerunners.  I'm pretty much over hearing the squeal every time I start it.  Certainly its much worse with some rain.  The neighbors probably agree its time to fix it.

[GTRS Fiero]

Can't wait to hear your results.

[GTRS Fiero]

Did you install the tensioner pulley?

[The Art Doctor]

I have it but have not installed it yet. Transaction with dodgerunner was smooth.  He had just sold his last two.  So it took a bit to make it and paint it.  It still smelled like wet paint when it arrived.  Took about three weeks total between first contact and parts arrival.  I told him I was in no hurry.  Still not on a hurry to install as it has been a bit chilly or raining but weather is getting better.

[The Art Doctor]

Got it installed today.  It was real nice outside.  On pennocks several folks said they did it in an hour but it took me three, which included driving to a friends to find an 18mm socket.  Each of my three metric sets skip 18mm.  Apparently only GM and Mercedes use an 18mm.  I was told none of the Japanese cars do so its not a common size.  I tried to follow the directions but wound up taking it off and putting it on in a different order.  There is a small secondary support arm that was much easier to put on first.  I then got the big bracket back on, aligned and tightened it all up.  Adding the tensioner is a one bolt deal but it takes two people to put the belt on.  There is a lot of force in that tensioner and moving it takes both hands leaving none to fish the belt around.  Good thing I have a helpful and interested spouse.
 Squeal is gone. 

Next is dew wipes.  I have a pair of outers I was given with the car.