Timing Belt Tensioner

[chilort]

Is there a difference in timing belt tensioners over the years?

I've got an '86 2.2L turbo with the square tooth gears. I recently changed the timing belt. The tension is set to the max and the belt still rides on the outside, plus the tensioner bearing squalls around 1100-1200rpm.

I picked up a tensioner today from a NA car in the JY with round tooth gears. I don't know why there would be differences, but then again ....

[turbovanman²]

The 2.5 tall deck had a larger tensioner.

The others are the same but for some reason, Dodge had a bunch of them. Some are metal, some are plastic, some are smooth, some have shoulders.

If its squawking, it could be the belt is too tight or the bearing is shot.

[87glhs232]

You said it's set max tight and still rides on the outside. A belt thats too tight WILL ride on the outside. Too loose rides on the inside.

[chilort]

Doh! I have them backward!!!!! Thanks. I'll adjust it tomorrow.

[supercrackerbox]

A belt thats too tight WILL ride on the outside. Too loose rides on the inside.

Never did understand how that works, lol.

[chilort]

I loosened up the tensioner and the timing belt is now riding much better. The tensioner still squalls.

So how much bigger is the 2.5L tensioner?

The tensioner I picked up is metal and has a rim/lip.

[87glhs232]

Never did understand how that works, lol.

Me neither. I just know that it does.

[larryB]

There is a height difference in the tensioners. The attached picture shows a tensioner off a 93 block (taller one ) next to one off a 88 block. So if you put one of the later style pulleys on your older block it will cause the belt to ride towards the outside.

[chilort]

Thanks for the great info.

I loosened up the tension on the car a tad more and it quit squalling.

[Turbodave]

That's good info Larry, I've nver compared them side to side like that and I've got a box of misc. tensioners in the garage. I'll be a little more careful before I use one now. I've never had any issues before, but that looks like the kind of thing that would get me sooner or later.