Belt tensioners...
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Belt tensioners...
Hey everyone, Ive got an 86 L98 car and my belt tensioner has gone bad. The problem is that I can't get a tensioner for a 1986, as its been discontinued. The 87 and up and 84-85 use different tensioners so cant use those. What can I do? Is it possible to update the 86 serpentine assembly to accept any other year tensioner? I could go to a junk yard amd get a used one but ud rather not. Thanks in advance yall.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
Tensioner Failed? Snapped, which Happens. or did the Idler Pulley bearing go? Pulley & Bearing can be replace. and unless your heading for the Concourse of Automotive Excellence Best of Show at Pebble Beach, there's Auto Zone
https://www.autozone.com/external-en...eVehicle=false
https://corvetteparts.com/item/tensi...lley-1985-1987
https://corvetteparts.com/search?q=belt+tensioner
https://www.autozone.com/external-en...eVehicle=false
https://corvetteparts.com/item/tensi...lley-1985-1987
https://corvetteparts.com/search?q=belt+tensioner
Last edited by s carter; Oct 29, 2019 at 09:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
Welcome to the Corvette Forum!
That design is not listed as a one year part, ZIP Products (Here in Virginia) has it for $110 and claim it is for the 1985-1987 years. For another $35 you can put a nice new Serpentine belt on at the same time. Replacing the belt is a great idea and will save you a lot of trouble.
Is this Corvette "New to You"? A lot of these old C4's have had their maintenance "deferred" and little things can jump up and bite you. There is a lot of experience here at this Forum, they can help you with virtually anything to do with your C4 Corvette.
My 1988 C4 Coupe is fun but I have" learned" a little since then. "If you take care of your Corvette your Corvette will take care of you". If you don't have them be sure to get your year's Factory Service Manual and it will walk you through removing and re-installing your Serpentine Belt Tensioner. Having the FSM will save your butt as it allows you to fix it yourself. I could not own one of these cars without that kind of documentation to support us. The electrical subsection is a book of its own and rightfully so.
It won't take yall long to swap that part, took me the best part of an hour...
Best regards,
Chris
That design is not listed as a one year part, ZIP Products (Here in Virginia) has it for $110 and claim it is for the 1985-1987 years. For another $35 you can put a nice new Serpentine belt on at the same time. Replacing the belt is a great idea and will save you a lot of trouble.
Is this Corvette "New to You"? A lot of these old C4's have had their maintenance "deferred" and little things can jump up and bite you. There is a lot of experience here at this Forum, they can help you with virtually anything to do with your C4 Corvette.
My 1988 C4 Coupe is fun but I have" learned" a little since then. "If you take care of your Corvette your Corvette will take care of you". If you don't have them be sure to get your year's Factory Service Manual and it will walk you through removing and re-installing your Serpentine Belt Tensioner. Having the FSM will save your butt as it allows you to fix it yourself. I could not own one of these cars without that kind of documentation to support us. The electrical subsection is a book of its own and rightfully so.
It won't take yall long to swap that part, took me the best part of an hour...
Best regards,
Chris
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 68
Hey everyone, Ive got an 86 L98 car and my belt tensioner has gone bad. The problem is that I can't get a tensioner for a 1986, as its been discontinued. The 87 and up and 84-85 use different tensioners so cant use those. What can I do? Is it possible to update the 86 serpentine assembly to accept any other year tensioner? I could go to a junk yard amd get a used one but ud rather not. Thanks in advance yall.
