johntorg

After dodging a bullet with my timing belt about to break, I'm installing new belts, rollers and waterpump. I am installing the new style pump and have a 87 and up spring loaded tensioner to install. I would like some opinions if this upgrade is actually an improvement.

Jfrahm

Not really. If you know how to set the tension and have a good way to measure it, the spring setup does not get you anything. It makes retensions faster if you trust the spring's tension though.

-Joel.

schwank

No. I've done the job on both and it is easier without the spring tensioner. You get a feel for it and you are fine.

Not worth the effort.

xsboost90

yeah- having done both- spring tensioner makes tensioning easier- but makes swapping belts a nightmare. Im sticking w/ the old style now that i have the proper tools.

potent951turbo

+1

You also have to tap the block to install the spring tensioner. As mentioned with the proper measuring tools there is no benefit to switching.

FRporscheman

I'm glad to see this topic. I just bought an '86 951 engine and later realized it hasn't got the spring tensioner. I seemed to remember people disliking it but couldn't remember.

Another reason why '86s are the best, eh?

fortysixandtwo

I like the 968 style. Pull the pin.....done!

For those wondering. The spring tensioner can be installed onto the 86 blocks, but requires drilling and tapping holes. The good new is, that the bosses for these holes were cast into the non spring tension blocks.

Tom M'Guinn

The only benefit I can think of is that the spring version will always provide tension even if the adjusting nuts get loose. Having said that, with the lock nuts used, I've never had an adjuster nut loosen at all. I wouldn't bother retrofitting myself.

Jeremy Himsel

I've converted one motor only because we had a tensioner and the block was bare and out of the car. The benefit to swapping is the eliminating the chance of the adjustment eccentric shearing off on the early style tensioner and causing damage (only personally seen this twice though). You still need to use a belt-tensioning gauge on the later tensioners and they make belt changes a bit more of a pain in the ***.

If the motor's in the car I wouldn't attempt the swap as drilling the new holes in the proper location, depth, and angle will be tough. If it's out if the car it’s a matter of personal preference.

johntorg

Thanks to all. You convinced me not to install the spring tensioner. Does anybody want to buy one?

lleroyb

I have an ad for one in the want ads, how much.

Lou

johntorg

$69 shipped or $100 shipped with a new tensioner pulley