Thought I would share this with everyone with a 4.9 that wishes to use the 3.4 Camaro spring tensioner with the stock Caddy alternator and mount. Your thoughts appreciated.

With this bracket all pulleys are in correct alignment for proper belt alignment.

slight modification is need to this 'L' shaped support bracket behind the water pump to accept the tensioner bracket:

tensioner bracket/tensioner mounted - a spacer was also needed between the tensioner and the stock alternator housing for proper pulley alignment (a longer alternator bolt is also needed - 110mm):

all together:

If you use this method, please give credit where due...a LOT of time and thought went into this. There should be enough info here for you to make your own, as to how and where it goes - measurements can be taken from your motor. I am not sure I am willing to give out the exact measurements, as the last thing I want to do is make it too easy for someone else to bang these out and sell them to line their own pockets.

But I am at least willing to share what it looks like so others can do something similar.

Tim

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 06-28-2004).]

Very nice, make me one and I'll help you test it....

Dragon1/Brian

Very cool!

I have a question, though.
The pulley just below the alternator... Is it smooth or ribbed?
Looks ribbed in the pic. Maybe just a bit of rust on it, or something.
Just wondering about a smooth belt on a ribbed pulley. If I'm tripping, please pardon my dumb-azz, question.

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Raydar
88 3.4 coupe...........

Coming soon...
88 Formula, presently under the knife.
Read Nealz Nuze!

some are smooth and some are ribbed, depends on which side of the belt they push against...

Dragon1/Brian

Pulley under the alternator is smooth (stock pulley that came with the block). It is a 2 piece pulley however, so there is a seam down the center. Can kinda of see it in the 2nd pic (mostly cut off - just to the left of the tensioner). The pulley was left on so I get more belt contacting the crank pulley - although, it's not a whole lot more

Tim

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 06-28-2004).]

Thank you for the how-to...time to hit the boneyard again (sigh)...

Oh, and a plus for you...

Nice work- I was wondering how other folks were running their belt on the Caddy. My car is similiar except I used a tensioner from a Mazda that has the bolt you tighten to move the pulley. I like your's better.

Bump.

Oh yeah, what is the pully from thats next to the waterpump pully and above the AC? I'm trying to figure that out so I can get my belt setup finished...

Thanks!

Here is our mounting set up.

We used a Spare braket off the Caddy and Bolted it to the Head.

Thank You for the idea

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4.9 Caddy in Garage! Car in Driveway! ACK!

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http://home.cfl.rr.com/fierose
Central Florida Fieros
http://www.centralfloridafieros.org

Looks good, unfortunatly I had to go the way I did because of the breather (4.9 valve covers are worth more than a ton of gold around here).

FieroMaster88 - I used this pulley: Dayco 89015 ( NAPA 38008) is a 70mm 6 groove. Dayco 89009 is a slightly larger pulley as well (6 mm bigger).

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 07-28-2004).]

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: Looks good, unfortunatly I had to go the way I did because of the breather (4.9 valve covers are worth more than a ton of gold around here). FieroMaster88 - I used this pulley: Dayco 89015 ( NAPA 38008) is a 70mm 6 groove.

We only replaced the trunk side VC so Jeff could put oil in it when he does a change.

Thanks Mickey your idea worked great. I built a tensioner just like yours and am very happy with it. I do have an extra valve cover if you are interested drop me an email.

Joe Sokol
85 SE 5 Speed 2.8 V6
88 Formula/GT 5 Speed 4.9 Caddy with Allante Intake

Hey guys; What belt length are you using with this combo. this realy looks sweet. Joe

Thiss is how I did mine too. Except my bracket goes down to the torx bit right below the tensioner.

I don't remember exactly the size but it was in the 80/80.5/81 range (I can't find the paper that had all this info on it right now) - I also ended up using the larger size pulley for the idler (76 mm - I think it was).

Tim

Tim; Thanks for the help, when I started my swap I made up a bracket that used the original tensioner it fits in the car but was real tight on clearance, so in the scrap pile it goes. I won't allow time spent to justifiy using a part I don't like!
A+ for your sharing This with us.
cheers beers n gears Joe

I've read through this thread several times and I can't figure out where the pulley above the A/C compressor came from or the bracket to the right of the 3.4 tensioner came from. Fieromaster88 asked about the pulley but I never saw a response. Anybody know where either of these items are from?

Thanks
Rick

[This message has been edited by GT (edited 02-09-2005).]

quote Originally posted by GT: I've read through this thread several times and I can't figure out where the pulley above the A/C compressor came from or the bracket to the right of the 3.4 tensioner came from. Fieromaster88 asked about the pulley but I never saw a response. Anybody know where either of these items are from? Thanks Rick

Idler Pulley, 90 Chevy Astro Van 4.3 V6 NO FACTORY A/C

Mounts in a Bolt Hole on the end of the W/P that normally supports some Caddy thingy (not the green one) not used

The Bracket is from some Caddy bracket that is shaped like an "A" and you just cut one leg off it.

[This message has been edited by Kento (edited 02-09-2005).]

quote Idler Pulley, 90 Chevy Astro Van 4.3 V6 NO FACTORY A/C

Aha... thanks Kento. Anyone know where the black bracket to the right of the tensioner came from in Mickey_Moose's pictures?

quote If You use the Stock Fiero A/C Compress & Alt (87 Duke), you only need a 76" belt

Two more questions then...

1. Are you saying I can use my stock AC compressor with the original pulley?
2) Do the Caddy computers properly control the stock Fiero A/C system?

Thanks

quote Originally posted by GT: Aha... thanks Kento. Anyone know where the black bracket to the right of the tensioner came from in Mickey_Moose's pictures?

That one he made himself. I know Mine, Jeff's and 85Lamb are using the "A" bracket

quote Originally posted by GT: Two more questions then... 1. Are you saying I can use my stock AC compressor with the original pulley? 2) Do the Caddy computers properly control the stock Fiero A/C system? Thanks

1. Yes, with some extra Brackets, it will work.
2. I dont think so as I have thrown out my computer. I am going Carb NO MORE EMPTY WALLET LIGHT!!!

I've just started so my 'Check Wallet Light" hasn't come on yet. But I hear a squeaking sound, I think it's coming from the wife...

there is a much easier bracket to make than the one on the top, and it will give you more alternator wrap than these. I'll post pics on saturday. You run the other end of the bracket to the torx bolt in the intake manifold. along with a few washers for spacing. at least I think thats what I did.

Hmmm...missed this thread some how...

Anyways, the tensioner bracket I am using is completely scratched build from some 5" flat bar. Email me if you are wanting the pattern and measurements. I believe my belt size is 80.5, but I am also using the larger idler pulley (Dayco part # 89009).

collinwestphal >> I originally tried something like you are describing, but I found it very awkward to get the belt on and then the tension was not too my liking (the tensioner was almost at it's minimum tension). But I would still like to see pictures of your setup

Stock A/C >> as far as I know you need to install the Caddy pulley on the stock a/c for the belt.

Tim

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: Stock A/C >> as far as I know you need to install the Caddy pulley on the stock a/c for the belt. Tim

87/88 Tech 4's used a 6 groove pully as well so you just need to rig up mounting points. if you use a V6 or 84-86 Duke you will have to swap clutch/pulley to the caddy one.

I just moved up to an 80" belt where I had been using a 79.5. I have a brand new caddy a/c compressor.

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Proud Member of the DOWN SOUTH SUNNY WINTER drive your Fiero Naked Coalition.

85 4.9SE 4T60E Parks harness/ Rockcrawl chip-- No I do not want to race!

mickeymouse...The way I have mine, its very easy to remove the belt. You do have to find the correct size belt. I was assuming that anyone wanting to make a custom belt system would get a different belt than the stock one. I went and bought 3 belts around the approximate size, and tried them all till one worked the best. then I just returned the other 2. Parts stores usually don't mind at all. I'll still get some pics of mine. It works like a charm. (and I have tried my share of belt setups)

Here's my version of a bracket for the bel tensioner.

The material is 1/4" x 3/4" hot rolled steel.
The short leg is 2" long with a 11/32" hole in the end.
The long leg is 4" long with a 13/32" hole in the end.
The angle between the two legs is 50 degrees.
The two legs overlap about a half inch at the weld. The short leg
is in front of the long leg.
There is a 15/16" long spacer between the lower bolt and the
threaded hole in the manifold.

There is a stop projection on the stationary part of the tensioner
which can be removed which will allow more movement of the
arm in the clockwise direction. Gives a little more room to slip
the belt on.

Bob

[This message has been edited by OldBob (edited 03-18-2005).]

I like your bracket Bob. I had made one very similar. You don't have to modify any of the engine parts and it is very much out of the way of everything else. My steel was a little thicker so my spacer is a little less thick in the back. I guess I have a little fun with curves when I get a torch in my hand but the bracket is essentially the same.

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Engineer Bill

DesignerSoftware.us

Here's mine:

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87 notchback 4.9L swap in progress
Custom LED Notchback Tail Lights

[This message has been edited by fourpoint9 (edited 04-27-2005).]

bump for Captain Fiero...

Cool Cool, Thank You.

Nice colors, fourpoint9! Very clean!