Tensioner bolt

[Daryl]

Does anyone know the specs on the tensioner bolt? Mine still cooperates but I feel like it’s getting a little more stripped each time I used it. So a lil’ preventative maintenance here. Hopefully a Grade 8, ARP or comparable? Oh, and where to get one?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Musturd]

You’re using the correct size wrench ?it’s a 15mm head on the bolt .

 

[ttocs]

how or why are you using the bolt on the tensioner? Mine has a 3/8" square drive that my ratchet extension fits into when I need to remove the belt. The only time I touched the bolt was to install it and I have not taken it off since.

 

[Daryl]

You’re using the correct size wrench ?it’s a 15mm head on the bolt .

Yes, 15mm six-sided socket on a breaker bar

 

[Daryl]

The bolt I’m referring to is in the foreground. Scott, I believe you were referencing the Torx (star-shaped) one in the background.

I’ve been attaching to the 15mm bolt and GINGERLY cranking it over to R&R the belt usually with a breaker bar. And usually having it slip off a few times or more until I can finesse it over, hold it in place while slipping the belt on/off before the socket slips off the head of the bolt again!

 

[ttocs]

on my tensioner just below the mounting bolt I have a square drive 3/8" hole made to fit a ratchet/extension into it to allow to twist it to release the belt. I tried to get a pic but I would need to move my overflow tank and probably the supercharger pulley to get a good pic of it. Not sure what brand it is but I would recommend it to anyone as it makes life easy.

 

[Daryl]

If you’re ever motivated, I’m sure I’m not the only one here who would love to know that info! I mean, mine is working fine so I’m not going to mess with it. But, it would be nice to have yours “on the shelf” if/when the current one craps out!

But definitely DO NOT go to all that trouble to find out what exactly it is. Maybe you’ll find a receipt? Or the light will go on and it’ll come to you?

 

[ttocs]

it looks similar to this one after doing a search for "94 mustang belt tensioner" but yet a little different design. I am just posting this pic to show the square hole I am talking about but I just use a 3" ratchet extension with no bit on the end and insert it into that hole and I have never had a problem with it slipping.

https://www.carparts.com/accessory-belt-tensioner/motorcraft/mibt39?TID=gglpla&origin=pla&&&gclid=CjwKCAjwhdWkBhBZEiwA1ibLmFOi7LctOpisD_LzuwqtMMB2LEdnqHA5RFVUCole3ObOiV5chZuTGhoCgZYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Daryl]

I would LOVE to have that vs using the BB/socket combo! And it’s a Ford part, so BONUS!!
on edit: bummer, doesn’t fit according to the website. The one that it defaults to is the one I have. Even though the tensioner and pulley are flip-flopped, I gotta wonder if it wouldn’t still work because once the belts in place the tension will be there, no?

 

[ttocs]

the ford part model number is f4ze-6b209-AD.

 

[joemomma]

Pretty sure mine just has a square ratchet hole as well.

 

[RAU03MACH]

some cars did come with torx bit bolts on the tensioner.
i remember a while back when we had this conversation my girls car has that one mine has the 3/8 drive

 

[Daryl]

Right! I didn’t have any immediate success even finding the f4ze-6B209–AD available anywhere anyhow.
Just gonna keep what I have

 

[badass98svt]

View attachment 26567
.

I’ve been attaching to the 15mm bolt and GINGERLY cranking it over to R&R the belt usually with a breaker bar.

That is 100% the wrong way to do it.

 

[Daryl]

That is 100% the wrong way to do it.

Great, I’ve been doing it wrong all along! Yet I did manage to R&R the belt at least 4-5 times. I guess I was just fortunate.

So, I take it I should’ve been cranking it by the Torx??

 

[Daryl]

It turns out my tensioner DOES have the square hole for the ratchet extension. I couldn’t see it behind the belt so never knew it was there and didn’t know where to look for it! It wasn’t until I compared a picture of the Dayco replacement part to mine. Now I know here to look for the darn square hole! All this time I’ve been struggling with the bolt. What a classic forehead-slapper… DOH!

 

[lwarrior1016]

That’s just how it is sometimes lol

 

[ttocs]

NICE! I thought mine was stock. so did ya try it out just to see how much easier it is?

 

[Daryl]

NICE! I thought mine was stock. so did ya try it out just to see how much easier it is?

Oh yeah! HUGE difference

 

[ttocs]

I have only taken my belt off of my car as I don't work on many cars. A year or two ago I saw my neighbor struggling under the hood and went to help as he was putting the belt back on and he is NOT mechanically inclined at all. It was a chrysler minivan and didn't have the square in the tensioner so I used the bolt but I could not help but think ford had simple/better design there.