The install of your bracket was incredibly easy, if I hadn't been messing around with other things as well It would have been done in no time. I had an easy way to install the Gates tensioner as well, worked great.
I just started the bolt in the center of the tensioner, then put a small allen behind it and used a screwdriver to rotate the base into place, and push the pin into location:
UPDATE NOTE 11-1-2009-- Made another update to the bracket so that the above should no longer be required. You should be able to bolt the Gates or any brand tensioner on without any interferance with the pulleys. (at least with known tensioners I've tested) DR
Xanth, great glad all went well. That's a good idea for doing those Gates tensioners. (Note: Xanth purchase his own tensioner and belt. The gates tensioner is a little different than the one I sell in my kit. )
Bet doing it on a lift was nice also. The wife gave me a coupon (read that permission) to purchase a two post lift for Christmas. Have a place in the garage for it just need to find a good deal on one...
[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 02-09-2010).]
I had an easy way to install the Gates tensioner as well, worked great.
I just started the bolt in the center of the tensioner, then put a small allen behind it and used a screwdriver to rotate the base into place, and push the pin into location:
i wish i would of seen how you did the gates before i did mine. i recently had to replace my alternator and had to take the tensioner back out. i didn't want to go through the trouble i had the first time with the gates tensioner so i bought a different one, e.g. like one DR sells.
quote
Originally posted by Dodgerunner: Added another to the map. Three now in Massachusetts but TX is still in the lead.
you'll be able to add another to TX cause i want to put another one on.
since Xanth tensioner install looks simple i'll try and reuse my tensioner, so i'll just need the bracket.
My method worked out fairly well, just make sure the bolt for your tensioner is long enough to thread in with room to spare, and you have a small hardened tool to use for a lever.
I tried a couple things, such as nails, but they are much too soft to work. Needs to be some hard metal like the Torx wrench I used.
Hoping to have mine working by tomorrow. Tried to install the newer alternator, but that didn't work out. I'll have to do that later. I bought an '88 exhaust heat shield to use with the upgraded alternator because the earlier ones won't quite work right. But I know my luck. As soon as I try to remove the exhaust manifold bolts to put the heat shield on, SNAP! So I decided to put the old alternator back on and wait until another time for the upgrade. Had to put new tie rods on the passenger side. So that took more time. It kept raining off and on. Dammitol I still have to hook up the battery and the dog bone, then it should be good to go. Had to quit for the night because I ran out of light and the mosquitoes were starting to treat me like a blood bank. But the kit is great. Had my dumb luck not interfered, I would have been done a long time ago.
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy
I wanted to add a quick note to any fellow 88 Auto V6 owners with this kit, if you need to get the alternator out you can still do it.
Raising up the rear of the car with the suspension hanging, unbolt the right rear sway bar mount, you can then slide the alternator between the swaybar and suspension while pushing the swaybar up. I was able to swap my alternator in a couple minutes without messing with any of the brackets.
whadeduck I used my 85 alt heat shield with the newer 88 alt. on my 85Gt. Just added a strap to the shield to offset it to the right location. It all mounts under the shield on one of the alt bolts so all you see if the double nuts on the outside of the shield existing bolt hole. If that makes since.
[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 04-13-2008).]
Yeah, I tried that. It ended up with the exhaust heat shield resting right on the manifold. That's why I decided to try the '88 heat shield that bolts directly to the manifold. But I don't have the time right now to either drill out or have drilled out any broken bolts if I do it. So I'll upgrade later.
Edit: It's Alive! Alive.
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy
[This message has been edited by whadeduck (edited 04-13-2008).]
The bracket just arrived today in the mail. The bracket is well made and Dodgerunner gets them shipped out quick. Now I have to get my butt into the garage and get it installed!
Just got mine too. It took a little more than an hour to install it, but it wasn't complicated. Some of that time was spent getting the old alternator off and a new one on. If you're not replacing the alternator it would be a lot easier. I installed it on an 88 GT with 5 speed Getrag. I didn't loosen the dog bone and didn't support the engine with anything. No problems whatsoever.
The squeek is GONE GONE GONE!!! It so wierd driving the car without having to turn everything electrical off during startup.
Thanks again DRunner!
*** EDIT *** Don't forget to add me to the map under Florida...
[This message has been edited by 2002z28ssconv (edited 05-11-2008).]
I have parts for more kits but am out of assembled brackets right now. Am planning on putting more together and hope to have them done by 5-15-08.
Are you on schedule for the assembled brackets? I'd like to change the "2" over Vancouver BC to a "3" on your map.
One other question - Do you or can you ship using USPS? I have my US purchases sent to Blaine Washington 98230 as I can't receive items shipped by private carriers such as UPS or FedEx.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-15-2008).]
I have two requests I'm waiting for replies on. One to Alberta and one to the US. If I don't hear back from them by next week they are up for grabs... Been a busy week with 4 request. Otherwise I'll have a couple more done over the weekend.
I always ship USPS priority mail since it is the lowest cost for me.
I don’t know what procedure is in place here regarding who's next in line, but whenever a bracket becomes available, just let me know (PM or email) and I’ll fire off a PayPal payment immediately. Thanks.
DR, I've tried three times to reply to your PM, but everytime I get an "internal server error". Anyway, it's just the bracket I need, thanks.
I have a question though in regards to the use of this setup with power pulleys. As you probably know, Rodney Dickman sells his Power Pulley Kit with an idler pulley.
Obviously, anyone using your bracket with a tensioner doesn't require the idler pulley, but if your setup will work with these pulleys, what is the best way to determine the belt length required? It would be great to hear from someone who's actually installed this combination of components.
I have no idea if Rodney will sell his pulleys without the rest of the items shown. If not, does anyone know of other sources for these pulleys, just the pulleys?
What I would do to get a measurement is install the pulleys, space the tensioner or whatever you are using to the position you want it. I then run a tape measure around the belt route and read the length. I check one I had mounted that takes the 45" belt. With a tape measure run around the belt path it measured 45.5" so guess it was subtracting the 1/2 inch from the length. Then find a belt closest to your length.
Along with Rodneys there are a couple links on the fierosails.com site regarding a couple other vendors that sell pulleys for a fiero.
I still have to hook up the battery and the dog bone, then it should be good to go. Had to quit for the night because I ran out of light and the mosquitoes were starting to treat me like a blood bank. But the kit is great. Had my dumb luck not interfered, I would have been done a long time ago. 
