3.2 cam belt tensioner....

[95ss]

I see that the Manual transmission cars use a manual tensioner and the ATX cars use something that is spring/hyd powered. (please feel free to correct or add the correct description here.)
I see where a few guys have taken the hyd/sping type that is normal for the ATX car and modified it to be manual......I like this idea and before i destroy a 60.00 core i wonder if those of you who really know the car history could explain why they made them different. ie...why does the ATX version need something that is NOT manually adjusted. Does it HAVE TO BE A HYD/SPRING TYPE? because of the auto trans? please feel free to educate me on this....I think I can modifiy the original one to be manual....just not sure if it is ok for the engine. Thanks.
1994 3.2 w ATX. in great falls mt.
Rick:thankyou:

 

[LOUDSHO92]

The hydraulic system allows for a constant tension regardless of the belt slack. It can self adjust. This means the 60k was extended to 100k.

 

[SHOtimer]

Who knows. The ATX also only has one accessory belt (whereas the MTX has two), and the ATX also has an auto tensioner for the accessory belt (whereas the MTX doesn't). The ATX also has better cooling fans...ect

Probably because it was designed later, and they made improvements.

Doug

 

[Devin]

I see that the Manual transmission cars use a manual tensioner and the ATX cars use something that is spring/hyd powered. (please feel free to correct or add the correct description here.)
I see where a few guys have taken the hyd/sping type that is normal for the ATX car and modified it to be manual......I like this idea and before i destroy a 60.00 core i wonder if those of you who really know the car history could explain why they made them different. ie...why does the ATX version need something that is NOT manually adjusted. Does it HAVE TO BE A HYD/SPRING TYPE? because of the auto trans? please feel free to educate me on this....I think I can modifiy the original one to be manual....just not sure if it is ok for the engine. Thanks.
1994 3.2 w ATX. in great falls mt.
Rick:thankyou:

Are you talking about the timing belt? MTX cars are not manually adjusted, it is done with spring. If you are talking about accessory belts, MTX belts are manually adjustable.

 

[95ss]

Timing belt is what i was talking about.....Thanks for the info guys, sounds like the homemade manual one is kinda risky.

 

[95ss]

is belt slack just a wear / stretch situation and if you were willing to check and adjust say every 20k would anyone consider the homemade manual tension that some have used here?

 

[rubydist]

the home-made manual tensioner adaptation will work fine for 50k mile tension checks. too tight on the belt is just as bad as too loose, so adjust it to the tension specs that the mtx engine had.

 

[95ss]

Thanks Rubydist....I will see what I can do with the tension assembly this weekend, I would like to inspect it and see if I can make any repairs first. Then I will go from there, can you recommend a belt tension measuring device?

 

[ItsAnAdventure]

The hydraulic system allows for a constant tension regardless of the belt slack. It can self adjust. This means the 60k was extended to 100k.

Does this mean that the ATX timing belt tensioner can be used on a 3.2 conversion?

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Does this mean that the ATX timing belt tensioner can be used on a 3.2 conversion?

It wont bolt up without modification.

 

[95ss]

does anyone have a description/write up on setting the belt tension......picture or link?
Thanks.....ps and is the el cheepo chilton manual any help ? does it list the specs and or diagrams.?

 

[rubydist]

Does this mean that the ATX timing belt tensioner can be used on a 3.2 conversion?

yes, if you use 3.2 accessories and timing covers.

using 3.2 accessories requires a custom front motor mount (which several have done, including myself) which will also solve your broken front motor mount issues with the 3.0 (if done right).

the beauty of using 3.2 accessories is that you get rid of the difficulty of adjusting accessory belts - the 3.2 belt has a self-tensioner.

 

[Devin]

does anyone have a description/write up on setting the belt tension......picture or link?
Thanks.....ps and is the el cheepo chilton manual any help ? does it list the specs and or diagrams.?

It you are going to do a lot of work to your car you should get an alldata subscription.

 

[ItsAnAdventure]

yes, if you use 3.2 accessories and timing covers.

using 3.2 accessories requires a custom front motor mount (which several have done, including myself) which will also solve your broken front motor mount issues with the 3.0 (if done right).

the beauty of using 3.2 accessories is that you get rid of the difficulty of adjusting accessory belts - the 3.2 belt has a self-tensioner.

Is there a published list of the particular 3.2 parts that can be used? What about the modified front mount that you mentioned; pictures/sketch/diagram available?

Thanks!

 

[rubydist]

do a search, I have a thread on the topic and there are a couple others as well.

 

[95ss]

ok...built a manual tensioner, I think it is going to work great and have installed it. how do you tell if it is to loose or tight? I was hoping to find a way to visually measure the belt slack but only found one person here who even said they do it. right now I have alittle less than half of a inch of up down slack between the main cam sprockets. It seems about right but then again your experience may prove me wrong. I REALLY don't want to overtighten this belt. I do not have the tool to set the 4.3in lb setting listed in the book for the manual tension procedure so ????anyone ever just do it by measuring belt slack...or??

Thanks.

 

[rubydist]

a half inch of belt slack between the cam sprockets is way too loose. iirc, when properly tensioned you can barely move the belt up or down about the thickness of the belt (between the cam sprockets)

 

[Off Road SHO]

The tensioner is for the "slack" side of the belt, that is from the bottom sprocket to the upper sprocket nearest the firewall. The front side is always tight and is not adjustable.

The great thing about the 3.2 adjuster is its constant tension controlled by a hydraulically dampened spring. A lot of the newer cars do it this way. One problem with it the ease of which it can be installed wrong. The tensioner driven pulley must be rotated into the belt snugly, BEFORE you release the spring. The short "throw" of the tensioner needs to start against a firm belt, not a loose one. I have the special tool that attaches to an inch*ounce torque wrench, but alas, no torque wrench that small. If you have a wrench that small, I can tell you how to make one of the attachments if you have a shop.

Tom

 

[95ss]

Quote '---The great thing about the 3.2 adjuster is its constant tension controlled by a hydraulically dampened spring. A lot of the newer cars do it this way.'
---MY BAD---


Thanks for the response here....I did not mention that my 3.2 tensioner is shot and I 'converted it' to a manual one. I may be totally wrong in how I did it.....but I mounted it and it looks like it will work IF it does not have to compensate for slack with a spring to provide tension. I used a lock nut on the bottom of the 4.5 inch bolt and made/assembled some structure to support the internal area and then assembled a bushing/top with a lock nut to keep it at a fixed length. I DID NOT provide any spring tension for any slack that may occur while the engine is rotating. I am a little worried about that, ignorance is bliss and I have never worked on this engine before.
So I have not tightned it up because I cannot determine what to do.

 

[95ss]

ps....I see where a procedure calls for preloading the eccentric spring to 4.5 in lbs and thought ok....I can get the wheel close enough by adjusting the bolt on my home made tension bolt and then use my inch lb tq wrench and estimate 5 inch lbs and use the 14mm bolt on the eccentric cam of the tension roller to apply just a little pressure against the belt. at this point that is the best I can do.
anyone want to give me some hints on this...I know it is not the best way but it is all I can do right now.
Thanks