Whipple and tensioner pulley alignment

Gunny · August 20th, 2007, 09:42 AM

Has anyone had any problems with the belt not riding correctly on the tensioner pulley? Mine seems to want to walk towards the engine and refuses to stay on the pulley. The result is that 1/4" of the belt is off the pulley and you can easily see the shiny wear mark on the pulley. If I throw a socket in the tensioner to allow me to move the belt so it's centered on the pulley, it moves back towards to engine after a few minutes. Any ideas?

Oh and last Friday, my belt shredded--I have my spare on now. +1 to whoever can guess why after reading the above.

05mustang_TT_charged · August 20th, 2007, 12:13 PM

if the belt rides in the center of all the other pulley's then you need to see why your tensioner is spaced to far away from your engine. check and see if there are any brackets that is bolted behind there that shouldn't be

Gunny · August 20th, 2007, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by 05mustang_kb_charged

if the belt rides in the center of all the other pulley's then you need to see why your tensioner is spaced to far away from your engine. check and see if there are any brackets that is bolted behind there that shouldn't be

Thanks. Sorry for the crappy pictures (taken with phone camera in parking garage), but here is what it looks like:

Notice the black, silver, then belt effect.

Again, the worn area of the tensioner. Doesn't LOOK bent...

Overhead

Looks straight...

Notice the line on the belt on the right hand side. That's where I believe it's off the tensioner.

1FastFox · August 20th, 2007, 12:29 PM

I think I would contact whoever you bought the kit off of or whoever installed it. There is definitally something wrong with the back spacing on the pulley. It looks at though it has been shimmed or something...

Sorry couldnt be of more help.

05mustang_TT_charged · August 20th, 2007, 12:30 PM

is that a new tensioner, i'm going check and see how mine is spaced out to get an idea, so will let you know what i can find

Gunny · August 20th, 2007, 12:34 PM

Thanks, folks. It is the stock tensioner with the necessary tab ground off. I never noticed this until I shreded a belt last week after getting it back from the tuner who has consistently fucked the car up. Yes, I'm an idiot for continually going back.

05mustang_TT_charged · August 20th, 2007, 12:47 PM

i just looked at mine with kenne bell kit and it is the same way, it doesn't hang off the pulley any but goes all the way to the edge closest to the motor, i'm looking through whipple and kb installation manual to see if they mention doing anything to the tensioner

05mustang_TT_charged · August 20th, 2007, 01:11 PM

here are some pics of mine

Gunny · August 20th, 2007, 01:15 PM

That looks exactly like mine--same gap and all. Do you notice any sort of wear line on the non-ribbed side of your belt (where the belt may not be fully on the tensioner)? I have a faint line on the engine side of my belt. I can rub it away with my hand, but I'm anal after shredding one. Maybe since it's new, it does it. I'm just concerned, that's all.

05mustang_TT_charged · August 20th, 2007, 01:22 PM

a very faint line but i never had a belt failure, the kb kit doesn't say anyting about spacing the tensioner, the whipple kit is the same way you shouldn't have to modify the space out of it

Gunny · August 20th, 2007, 01:32 PM

WTF then. I was doing a brake stand and letting the tires burn up a bit when it happened. I can't imagine that would have caused this. Nevertheless, I feel a little more confident that it must have been a fluke.

MustangMatt96GT · August 20th, 2007, 03:32 PM

I know what caused it! lol You were shreading the tires so the belt was jealous and want to be shreaded too!

I believe its just a fluke!

Gunny · August 20th, 2007, 03:53 PM

HA!!!! I sure hope you're right. Stupid belt....

Gunny · August 21st, 2007, 02:06 PM

For those of you that voted bent tensioner...you were right!!! I went to Ford and compared a new one to mine. Mine was ever so slightly bent. That slight bend was enough to cause the belt to walk toward the block. So, after getting the new one home ($45 at dealer--he gave me a deal because the regular price is $70), I ground off the tab and installed it. I let it idle for a while and then took it for a spin. Upon returning, the belt is near dead center on the tensioner still!!

How did this happen, you ask? Here's what I think. My idiot installers placed the Whipple idler in the middle of the bracket, as opposed to all the way down (for the most tension on the belt) like the instructions say. This caused the belt to be loose. When I got on it, it came off and bent the tensioner (and hood, I might add).

Replaced tensioner...problem appears to be solved. Thanks, all!

HMUSN · August 21st, 2007, 02:08 PM

cool.

congrats on the fix

MustangMatt96GT · August 21st, 2007, 02:13 PM

so you going to let me drive it now?

stanglifemike · August 21st, 2007, 02:15 PM

Good info to know. Glad you got it fixed.

stanglifemike · August 21st, 2007, 02:16 PM

Your water pump pulley screws are loose in the pics too. I'm assuming you knew that, but just in case.

Gunny · August 21st, 2007, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by MustangMatt96GT

so you going to let me drive it now?

Possibly. I'm getting a tune from RWTD with Mark because mine still F'ed up. At least I can hopefully put the pulley/belt issue to rest. We still have to meet up at Bandimere!

Gunny · August 21st, 2007, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by stanglifemike

Your water pump pulley screws are loose in the pics too. I'm assuming you knew that, but just in case.

Huh? They're not loose. Maybe the picture came out wierd or something, but they are fine.

August 20th, 2007, 09:42 AM	#1
Gunny Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 282 iTrader: 0 reviews	Whipple and tensioner pulley alignment Has anyone had any problems with the belt not riding correctly on the tensioner pulley? Mine seems to want to walk towards the engine and refuses to stay on the pulley. The result is that 1/4" of the belt is off the pulley and you can easily see the shiny wear mark on the pulley. If I throw a socket in the tensioner to allow me to move the belt so it's centered on the pulley, it moves back towards to engine after a few minutes. Any ideas? Oh and last Friday, my belt shredded--I have my spare on now. +1 to whoever can guess why after reading the above. __________________ 2006 GT 5 Speed Convertible Whipple HO SC (461 RWHP / 444 Torque) 4.10 Gears Pypes O/R H-Pipe Borla Stingers Cat Back Exhaust Various suspension goodies For more info, visit: http://www.themorgansite.com/Mustang/mustang_info.htm

August 20th, 2007, 12:13 PM	#2
05mustang_TT_charged Hardcore Enthusiast 2005 Mustang GT 10.32@137.70 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: LSU Country Posts: 2,774 iTrader: 0 reviews	if the belt rides in the center of all the other pulley's then you need to see why your tensioner is spaced to far away from your engine. check and see if there are any brackets that is bolted behind there that shouldn't be __________________ 350 rwhp and 310 rwtq at 6000 rpms through stock exhaust system 326 cubic inches of Twin Turbocharged hell will be running soon Tuned by Wes @ TPS

August 20th, 2007, 12:29 PM	#4
1FastFox Skirt Chasing Phallus Phondler Kit Car/Ducati/Explorer Nike Fast Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,475 iTrader: 4 reviews	I think I would contact whoever you bought the kit off of or whoever installed it. There is definitally something wrong with the back spacing on the pulley. It looks at though it has been shimmed or something... Sorry couldnt be of more help. __________________ QUOTE OF THE DAY (5/24/12): “I not only use all the brains that I have, but all I can borrow.” -- Woodrow Wilson

August 20th, 2007, 12:30 PM	#5
05mustang_TT_charged Hardcore Enthusiast 2005 Mustang GT 10.32@137.70 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: LSU Country Posts: 2,774 iTrader: 0 reviews	is that a new tensioner, i'm going check and see how mine is spaced out to get an idea, so will let you know what i can find __________________ 350 rwhp and 310 rwtq at 6000 rpms through stock exhaust system 326 cubic inches of Twin Turbocharged hell will be running soon Tuned by Wes @ TPS

August 20th, 2007, 12:34 PM	#6
Gunny Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 282 iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks, folks. It is the stock tensioner with the necessary tab ground off. I never noticed this until I shreded a belt last week after getting it back from the tuner who has consistently fucked the car up. Yes, I'm an idiot for continually going back. __________________ 2006 GT 5 Speed Convertible Whipple HO SC (461 RWHP / 444 Torque) 4.10 Gears Pypes O/R H-Pipe Borla Stingers Cat Back Exhaust Various suspension goodies For more info, visit: http://www.themorgansite.com/Mustang/mustang_info.htm

August 20th, 2007, 12:47 PM	#7
05mustang_TT_charged Hardcore Enthusiast 2005 Mustang GT 10.32@137.70 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: LSU Country Posts: 2,774 iTrader: 0 reviews	i just looked at mine with kenne bell kit and it is the same way, it doesn't hang off the pulley any but goes all the way to the edge closest to the motor, i'm looking through whipple and kb installation manual to see if they mention doing anything to the tensioner __________________ 350 rwhp and 310 rwtq at 6000 rpms through stock exhaust system 326 cubic inches of Twin Turbocharged hell will be running soon Tuned by Wes @ TPS

August 20th, 2007, 01:15 PM	#9
Gunny Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 282 iTrader: 0 reviews	That looks exactly like mine--same gap and all. Do you notice any sort of wear line on the non-ribbed side of your belt (where the belt may not be fully on the tensioner)? I have a faint line on the engine side of my belt. I can rub it away with my hand, but I'm anal after shredding one. Maybe since it's new, it does it. I'm just concerned, that's all. __________________ 2006 GT 5 Speed Convertible Whipple HO SC (461 RWHP / 444 Torque) 4.10 Gears Pypes O/R H-Pipe Borla Stingers Cat Back Exhaust Various suspension goodies For more info, visit: http://www.themorgansite.com/Mustang/mustang_info.htm

August 20th, 2007, 01:22 PM	#10
05mustang_TT_charged Hardcore Enthusiast 2005 Mustang GT 10.32@137.70 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: LSU Country Posts: 2,774 iTrader: 0 reviews	a very faint line but i never had a belt failure, the kb kit doesn't say anyting about spacing the tensioner, the whipple kit is the same way you shouldn't have to modify the space out of it __________________ 350 rwhp and 310 rwtq at 6000 rpms through stock exhaust system 326 cubic inches of Twin Turbocharged hell will be running soon Tuned by Wes @ TPS

August 20th, 2007, 01:32 PM	#11
Gunny Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 282 iTrader: 0 reviews	WTF then. I was doing a brake stand and letting the tires burn up a bit when it happened. I can't imagine that would have caused this. Nevertheless, I feel a little more confident that it must have been a fluke. __________________ 2006 GT 5 Speed Convertible Whipple HO SC (461 RWHP / 444 Torque) 4.10 Gears Pypes O/R H-Pipe Borla Stingers Cat Back Exhaust Various suspension goodies For more info, visit: http://www.themorgansite.com/Mustang/mustang_info.htm

August 20th, 2007, 03:32 PM	#12
MustangMatt96GT Proud American 1996 Mustang GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 10,688 iTrader: 3 reviews	I know what caused it! lol You were shreading the tires so the belt was jealous and want to be shreaded too! I believe its just a fluke! __________________ RIP Travis Billings Special Thanks to: Andrews Racing Transmissions Baseline Suspensions 25.3 SFI Chassis Build Never Lift Racecars

August 20th, 2007, 03:53 PM	#13
Gunny Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 282 iTrader: 0 reviews	HA!!!! I sure hope you're right. Stupid belt.... __________________ 2006 GT 5 Speed Convertible Whipple HO SC (461 RWHP / 444 Torque) 4.10 Gears Pypes O/R H-Pipe Borla Stingers Cat Back Exhaust Various suspension goodies For more info, visit: http://www.themorgansite.com/Mustang/mustang_info.htm

August 21st, 2007, 02:06 PM	#14
Gunny Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 282 iTrader: 0 reviews	For those of you that voted bent tensioner...you were right!!! I went to Ford and compared a new one to mine. Mine was ever so slightly bent. That slight bend was enough to cause the belt to walk toward the block. So, after getting the new one home ($45 at dealer--he gave me a deal because the regular price is $70), I ground off the tab and installed it. I let it idle for a while and then took it for a spin. Upon returning, the belt is near dead center on the tensioner still!! How did this happen, you ask? Here's what I think. My idiot installers placed the Whipple idler in the middle of the bracket, as opposed to all the way down (for the most tension on the belt) like the instructions say. This caused the belt to be loose. When I got on it, it came off and bent the tensioner (and hood, I might add). Replaced tensioner...problem appears to be solved. Thanks, all! __________________ 2006 GT 5 Speed Convertible Whipple HO SC (461 RWHP / 444 Torque) 4.10 Gears Pypes O/R H-Pipe Borla Stingers Cat Back Exhaust Various suspension goodies For more info, visit: http://www.themorgansite.com/Mustang/mustang_info.htm

August 21st, 2007, 02:08 PM	#15
HMUSN Doc 1986 SVO 48.47@ 12.58 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 37,047 iTrader: 11 reviews	cool. congrats on the fix __________________

August 21st, 2007, 02:13 PM	#16
MustangMatt96GT Proud American 1996 Mustang GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 10,688 iTrader: 3 reviews	so you going to let me drive it now? __________________ RIP Travis Billings Special Thanks to: Andrews Racing Transmissions Baseline Suspensions 25.3 SFI Chassis Build Never Lift Racecars

August 21st, 2007, 02:15 PM	#17
stanglifemike IBEATU 06 GT, 98 GT, & 93 Notch Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Douglasville, GA Posts: 5,937 iTrader: 0 reviews	Good info to know. Glad you got it fixed. __________________ 98 GT: some stuff 06 GT: more stuff 93 Notch: 4 cyl at birth, now 5.0 drivetrain and stock exterior and interior= True Sleeper Paxton/Vortech Crew Member #3 FRPP's #1 Dealer Injected Engineering BMR Suspension

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August 21st, 2007, 02:16 PM	#18
stanglifemike IBEATU 06 GT, 98 GT, & 93 Notch Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Douglasville, GA Posts: 5,937 iTrader: 0 reviews	Your water pump pulley screws are loose in the pics too. I'm assuming you knew that, but just in case. __________________ 98 GT: some stuff 06 GT: more stuff 93 Notch: 4 cyl at birth, now 5.0 drivetrain and stock exterior and interior= True Sleeper Paxton/Vortech Crew Member #3 FRPP's #1 Dealer Injected Engineering BMR Suspension

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