Serpentine Belt tensioner

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puzzigully
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Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by puzzigully »

Hoping someone can help!

have a 1987 Callaway Corvette and the tensioner appears to be not "tensioning" properly.
It appears to have lost most of its tensioning abilities - i guess the internal spring can weaken over time?

I purchased a 1987 Corvette tensioner, believing it was the std item that Callaway installed the oil pump onto (quite clever really), but when my mechanic went to swap out the tensioner, he tells me its "the wrong one"

don't have too much more detail as yet, but my question is:
Is the std 1987 tensioner used to mount the oil pump on?
how do you replace the tensioner?
Do you have to replace the oil pump at the same time? (i.e. is it a complete swap out??)

Thanks
avcwo
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by avcwo »

It IS different. Callaway has the parts to rebuild it, including the spring. WISE ADVISE is to have them rebuild the whole assembly ($400.00.) The pump is old and may be working well now, but WILL fail due to age/use. IF it FAILS, you will get the dreaded “suck the oil out of the oil pan and dump it into the tailpipe syndrome.” Like it sounds, the oil pools in the turbos, goes past the bearings and out the exhaust pipe...until the oil pan is depleted.... that of course causes catastrophic engine failure....

The rebuild from Callaway is complete. You will get back a NEW looking scavenge pump (your original.) WORTH THE $$...
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1988 CTTC #11 of 400
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by avcwo »

A STANDARD TENSIONER WRENCH WILL WORK. REPLACE THE BELT AS WELL. You have to special order that. 2250 MM, 6 rib.
AVCWO
1987 CTTC #9 of 184
1988 CTTC #11 of 400
GEAUX NAVY!!
GEAUX LSU TIGERS!!
puzzigully
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by puzzigully »

I had Callaway rebuild the pump, but they did not rebuild the spring (probably because I didn't ask them to because I wasnt aware of the problem)

My problem now is, that I (and the car) am in Australia ans want to fix the lack of tension...

Can anyone suggest how to achieve this.....I thought it was as simple as replacing the pulley on a std tensioner with the oil pump...

Obviously not the case?
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SurfnSun
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by SurfnSun »

I believe boostedmaxpsi actually replaced the spring in his tensioner. Might send him a message
puzzigully
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by puzzigully »

Thx, I have pm-ed him... will report back the reply.
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by puzzigully »

I have pm-ed boostedmaxpsi and Callaway Chris - no reply so far :(

Also called Callaway and left message for Chris, still no reply
Although its a tad difficult as they are on East coast time and I'm on Australian time!
Not a lot of overlap when they're at work and I'm awake lol

Can anyone else provide any input?

Cheers
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by SurfnSun »

Our PM notification emails don’t seem to be working properly. I have sent a text to boostedmaxpsi for you.
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by SurfnSun »

I will PM you his email as he doesn’t do the forums...he said he posted the vids to YouTube.
puzzigully
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by puzzigully »

Got it!

Thanks! much appreciated! :)
toofast80
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by toofast80 »

Try a slightly shorter belt.
puzzigully
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by puzzigully »

toofast80 wrote: Wed Apr 18, 2018 4:51 am Try a slightly shorter belt.
I actually purchased a shorter belt, but whilst it may solve my problem, it isn't "correct"
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by puzzigully »

Looks like I have the solution.

Many thanks to Callaway cars and Boostedmaxpsi

Turns out the 1987 used a different method to lubricate the turbos.... apparently a pump mounted to the front of the power steering pump.
This turned out to be not a great solution and in 1988 they changed it to a pump mounted to the serpentine belt tensioner
See cut & paste from relevant section:
1987 cars had a pump that was driven off the front of the power steering pump. This pump is obsolete! If you see one of these on a car call the factory immediately. All cars should have a scavenge pump that is integrated with the accessory belt tensioner.

So the 1987 should be using a 1988-91 serpentine belt tensioner (the 1987 one wont fit).

I have one on order and will report back once its on and working.

Hope this helps all 1987 CTTC owners as well as 1989-91 Owners
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by TN Aero »

Is 2250MM the correct length belt for 1989 as well?
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by Callaway Chris »

TN Aero wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 5:43 pm Is 2250MM the correct length belt for 1989 as well?
I have a belt in my office which I can reference. Please stand by.
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by avcwo »

Boosted max DID replace his spring. He has PICS....
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1988 CTTC #11 of 400
GEAUX NAVY!!
GEAUX LSU TIGERS!!
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Re: Serpentine Belt tensioner

Post by TN Aero »

Callaway Chris - were you able to measure the belt in your office? Thanks
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