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Topic: How to reverse a tensioner pulley (Read 6049 times) previous topic - next topic

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

I've been told that you can take one of the spring type tensioner pulleys apart and flip the spring around to make it push tension the opposite direction.

Anyone know how to get one apart???
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #1
I wouldnt even try..  there could be enough tension in there that when you do get it apart the spring flies out and causes serious harm. or it could work like they said, I wouldnt take the chance though keep searching and find what you need.

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #2
AHA!!! after much defiant searching I came across this....

http://www.angelfire.com/ns/PurgingPony/Belttensioner.html

Doesn't seem too bad really... I'm def gonna try it tomorrow. This would be awesome if it works. Its exactly what I need to get rid of that hideous smog pump.
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

 

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #3
pls listen

remove your belt
now pry on the tensioner and observe what part causes the counter clockwise rotation to stop.
get your hacksaw
cut off 1/2'' of the tensioner housing to create a "new" stop point.

you now gain a wider range of belts to choose from
you also gain in the fact you dont have to flip the spring (yes it can be done)
You also will be done in 20min just  around.
once you get done , you did not change anything other than you can "short belt" your pully system so the smog is no longer on line.

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #4
Doesn't work that way. the 3.8's are big time different from 5.0 accessory setup. If I do indeed do that, it can be done, but the problem is that I will only have about 1-2" of belt grabbing my water pump, and I just don't trust that. Especially conidering that at that angle the tensioner will actually be trying to remove the belt from the WP rather than push it on.
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #5
Sorry I didn't get back to you on this yesterday.  That link pretty much describes it....Me and a buddy did one a LONG time ago....
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #6
Cool. Thanks. His wording is a little hard to follow... alomost looks like he's ESOL. I'm about to try this right now.

As far as why I can't just move the pulley a little bit and short belt it, I've been down this road before. Here's what it looks like:



Now if I try to just short belt it between the water pump and alternator and use the stock tensioner up there, I have two options.

1. Run the belt up the left side of the WP pulley and cosequently run the WP in reverse. Doesn't work already made that mistake.
2. Run the belt underneath  the pulley like its supposed to but then move the tensioner more to the right so that it grabs it. Well, this works great for putting tension on the alt pulley but it would also remove a lot of tension from off of the WP pulley, while at the same time letting only a bout 1-2" grab it like I was saying.

Instead, the best option is to take this tensioner arm apart, and get it to push the belt up instead of down. Then I can run the belt up the right side of the pulley and get almost 1/4 of the pulley covered by the belt, and still get plenty on the alt at the same time.
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #7
YEAH!!!!!!!!

It works baby!!!

All you gotta do is take a screwdriver and pry up the little cover plate that stops the tensioner arm from traveling too far. Pry up the tab far enough to get it to slide over the edge of the tension arm. Let it rotate all the way till all the the tension is gone and you've got a little slack.

Then work your way around the edges of the plate and try to get it to pop up off of the little square in the center that's holding it on.

Then take the plate and put it back on where the spring is untensioned. You'll probably have to rotate it just a little bit to get it to pop on. Then take a screwdriver and hammer and pop the plate back on around the edges of the square.

Then you're done. Tensioner reversed, and nobody gets whacked with a spring. It only takes like 5 min. Seriously. The hardest part is getting the tensioner off the engine.
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #8
Pics....because i'm interested.

Sure is alot of work for a thermactor pump that isn't drawing much hp anyway.
My car is a gravity hybrid.  The gasoline engine gets me up the hills, and gravity gets me down.

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #9
pics are coming soon. I'm doing a write up right now for another thread. I'll put a pic in it and a link here.
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #10
here's the link:

[post]350061[/post]
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #11
Quote from: 88CougarGT;350059
Pics....because i'm interested.

Sure is alot of work for a thermactor pump that isn't drawing much hp anyway.

 


thats not the point.  If the smog pump is dragging or worn,it will eventually throw your belt, atlest mine did.

How to reverse a tensioner pulley

Reply #12
Well the point for me was that I didn't have any use for that thing since my cats were hollow, and it was other wise just taking up space and looking ugly, so I wanted it GONE.
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L