AC Delco belt tensioner???
05-14-2016, 12:22 PM
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 9,672
Received 546 Likes
on
376 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
AC Delco belt tensioner???
I had a couple friends over yesterday for a "garage night". One of them noticed that the belt tensioner on my '89 hardtop was leaking, so I checked Rock Auto for an AC Delco replacement.
They have two.
This one for $42.79. Part # 38118
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....035694&jsn=410
And this one for $76.79. Part# 10055798
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....035694&jsn=413
The price is really not a factor, but I just wanted to know what the difference is between the two.
Any help would be appreciated.
They have two.
This one for $42.79. Part # 38118
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....035694&jsn=410
And this one for $76.79. Part# 10055798
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....035694&jsn=413
The price is really not a factor, but I just wanted to know what the difference is between the two.
Any help would be appreciated.
Last edited by chazman; 05-14-2016 at 02:48 PM.
05-14-2016, 08:54 PM
#2
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
They do that a lot. One is supposedly original equipment, and the other if you compare the pictures is just a Gates aftermarket replacement in a Delco box. I'm not sure what you have on your car, but my 91 Formula and the spare serpentine setup on the shelf both have the 10055798 style pulley with a raised lip front and back vs the smooth pulley in the 38118 photo.
Any more a lot of the "AC Delco" parts are just reboxed parts from the aftermarket that share little with original parts. Gotta look close to see the differences sometimes, but once you notice you can't un-see them.
Any more a lot of the "AC Delco" parts are just reboxed parts from the aftermarket that share little with original parts. Gotta look close to see the differences sometimes, but once you notice you can't un-see them.
05-14-2016, 09:45 PM
#3
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
I had a couple friends over yesterday for a "garage night". One of them noticed that the belt tensioner on my '89 hardtop was leaking, so I checked Rock Auto for an AC Delco replacement.
They have two.
This one for $42.79. Part # 38118
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....035694&jsn=410
And this one for $76.79. Part# 10055798
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....035694&jsn=413
The price is really not a factor, but I just wanted to know what the difference is between the two.
Any help would be appreciated.
They have two.
This one for $42.79. Part # 38118
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....035694&jsn=410
And this one for $76.79. Part# 10055798
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....035694&jsn=413
The price is really not a factor, but I just wanted to know what the difference is between the two.
Any help would be appreciated.
05-14-2016, 10:18 PM
#4
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 9,672
Received 546 Likes
on
376 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
They do that a lot. One is supposedly original equipment, and the other if you compare the pictures is just a Gates aftermarket replacement in a Delco box. I'm not sure what you have on your car, but my 91 Formula and the spare serpentine setup on the shelf both have the 10055798 style pulley with a raised lip front and back vs the smooth pulley in the 38118 photo.
Any more a lot of the "AC Delco" parts are just reboxed parts from the aftermarket that share little with original parts. Gotta look close to see the differences sometimes, but once you notice you can't un-see them.
Any more a lot of the "AC Delco" parts are just reboxed parts from the aftermarket that share little with original parts. Gotta look close to see the differences sometimes, but once you notice you can't un-see them.
05-15-2016, 01:12 AM
#6
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Kitchener, ON
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
There is no oil in the tensioner. Most likely source of oil leak is front seal of A/C compressor since it's right beside it and prone to seepage.
Trending Topics
05-15-2016, 02:04 AM
#9
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 9,672
Received 546 Likes
on
376 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Thanks guys. Order cancelled!
05-15-2016, 05:18 PM
#10
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Like thtanner said, it's just a spring. You can actually see the spring if you look through the slot on the side. This link also shows an exploded diagram of the belt tensioner.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/belt_tensioners.htm
I will tell you some import and some newer model vehicles do have a fluid damper, but nothing GM that is as old as our cars are.
05-15-2016, 07:05 PM
#11
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 9,672
Received 546 Likes
on
376 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Cancel it; and to the person that told you it was leaking, tell them they aren't invited to your next get together. LOL
Like thtanner said, it's just a spring. You can actually see the spring if you look through the slot on the side. This link also shows an exploded diagram of the belt tensioner.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/belt_tensioners.htm
I will tell you some import and some newer model vehicles do have a fluid damper, but nothing GM that is as old as our cars are.
Like thtanner said, it's just a spring. You can actually see the spring if you look through the slot on the side. This link also shows an exploded diagram of the belt tensioner.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/belt_tensioners.htm
I will tell you some import and some newer model vehicles do have a fluid damper, but nothing GM that is as old as our cars are.
I swear, it looked like it was leaking out of the tensioner and dribbling onto the pulley below it.
My AC compressor has leaked oil since day number one, same as every other 3rd gen I've owned. So I did some clean up on the area today and noticed a couple of drops of oil below the AC line fittings near the radiator.
I'm trying to post a pic....
Last edited by chazman; 05-15-2016 at 11:22 PM.
05-15-2016, 07:19 PM
#12
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
I swear, it looked like it was leaking out of the tensioner and dribbling onto the pulley below it.
My AC compressor has leaked oil since day number one, same as every other 3rd gen I've owned. So I did some clean up on the area today and noticed a couple of drops of oil below the AC line fittings near the radiator.
I'm trying to post a pic....
My AC compressor has leaked oil since day number one, same as every other 3rd gen I've owned. So I did some clean up on the area today and noticed a couple of drops of oil below the AC line fittings near the radiator.
I'm trying to post a pic....
05-15-2016, 07:54 PM
#14
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 1,149
Received 83 Likes
on
67 Posts
Car: 1989 Pontiac Formula 350
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 3.27 Posi
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
I think it's cool you have a wrenching night, though. Everyone I know that is into cars is an hour away from me!
05-15-2016, 08:11 PM
#15
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 9,672
Received 546 Likes
on
376 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
......
Last edited by chazman; 05-15-2016 at 11:22 PM.
05-17-2016, 08:59 AM
#16
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ORLANDO FL
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 RS VERT
Engine: 305 9.67 2.02 58 cc 282 480 108 LC
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.11 POSI
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Just went through this myself...a lot of the aftermarket tensioners don't have a lip on the front and back to keep you from throwing a belt.....will probably track ok without a lip -but I would rather have a lip .
05-17-2016, 11:11 AM
#17
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 9,672
Received 546 Likes
on
376 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Well, I know which one I'd order if I needed one, but I cancelled it.
Has anyone had any success in fixing AC compressor leaks?
Has anyone had any success in fixing AC compressor leaks?
05-17-2016, 08:09 PM
#18
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Kitchener, ON
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Depends how bad the leak is. R4 compressors are notorious for being noisy and for the front seal to weep oil. You could put a new seal in the original case. I couldn't find a good under hood picture of your car so I'm not sure if it still has R12. If it does, I would be tempted to keep it that way. The molecules are bigger and are less prone to leaking out than R134A.
05-17-2016, 08:13 PM
#19
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Well... No. But there are a bunch of videos on Ebay that show how to pop the R4 apart and change the seals. It doesn't LOOK that difficult, but I haven't tried it. Getting the A/C running on a couple of my cars is a priority on my to-do list, so let us know how it works out for you.
Youtube.
05-17-2016, 08:23 PM
#21
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 9,672
Received 546 Likes
on
376 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Depends how bad the leak is. R4 compressors are notorious for being noisy and for the front seal to weep oil. You could put a new seal in the original case. I couldn't find a good under hood picture of your car so I'm not sure if it still has R12. If it does, I would be tempted to keep it that way. The molecules are bigger and are less prone to leaking out than R134A.
05-17-2016, 08:24 PM
#22
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 9,672
Received 546 Likes
on
376 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: AC Delco belt tensioner???
Well... No. But there are a bunch of videos on Ebay that show how to pop the R4 apart and change the seals. It doesn't LOOK that difficult, but I haven't tried it. Getting the A/C running on a couple of my cars is a priority on my to-do list, so let us know how it works out for you.
Weird thing is, I knew what you meant.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
85@IRocZ
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
21
05-17-2016 08:03 PM
PurelyPMD
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
2
04-15-2016 05:43 PM