I think i've come up with the answer, at least this is working for me so far, i documented it so anyone else who wants to take part can. We'll know for sure tomorrow if this mod is going to work or not. I've put 30 miles on it so far through all types of driving, highway, non-highway, slow, fast, WOT, tirespin, high-speed cornering, and haven't lost the belt yet. Anyway, this basically involves adding a washer between the pulley bracket and the bolt bracket that allows the tensioner to move forward and backward. Pull uot your washers that you used to do the camber mod, those who have done it. If not, they're M10 washers. As I figured, there is one more way to do this, by adding the washer to the two bolts later mentioned.

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS MOD IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SLIPPING BELTS, NOT SHREDDING. THE REASON I BELIEVE THIS WORKS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN MY BELTS COME OFF, THEY COME OFF AND STAY AROUND ALL 3 PULLEYS, BUT NOT TOUCHING THE TENSIONER.

All that aside, let's get to the subject matter in hand:

Here's a view of the pulley from the engine bay:



First, get your dirty-ass white-ass nasty-ass snow/rain/sleet/mud/sand/salt covered car up on a jackstand



Okay, now that that's behind us, take off your ugly 17" wheel (You can skip this step, but it makes it easier!



Brakes-r-fun!



Now, go looking for lowered-old-sport compact car man's best friends



Apply liberally to these two bolts. These are also the two bolts that (if desired) you can put washers on to move the entire bracket, instead of just the pulley itself. I prefer PB Blaster, it cleaned the shit out of that bracket and made it look brand new.



Now, you have your basic pulley layout, taken apart



take the washer, and put it between the bolt bracket and the bracket itself.



Here's a side view of the assembled tensioner pulley.



Slap it back together, and go down the road. It might work, it might not. But so far it's worked for me, and i'll give more info tomorrow if it works. Hopefully it will.

ONE MORE DISCLAIMER: DON'T ADD MORE THAN ONE WASHER BETWEEN THE PULLEYS, IT WILL BE TOO FAR MISALIGNED.

If this doesn't work, maybe i'll consider adding a washer to each of the bolts on the bracket. This is it for now, give me feedback if you decide to try it!





Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 4 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT / A'PEXi Super AFC

wow, crazy mod. to bad my belts don't exactly work like that, i don't have A/C and i don't think i have that extra tensioner pulley because i've never seen it on my car. maybe i'm on crack. after getting an UDP, a new power steering pump, and banging the SHIT out of the power steering pump mounting bracket, my belts are finally staying on.

Does Jamesman's replacing the bearing trick work?

I got a spare tensioner if anyone just wants to replace the bearing inside.

I didn't know there was one. My bearing works fine, if i spin the pulley, it spins for hours. thats what's so strange.



Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 4 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT / A'PEXi Super AFC

Hmmmmm....interesting solution. I like the idea. Keep us updated on how it is working for you. I may try this myself.

Edit: dirty-ass white-ass nasty-ass snow/rain/sleet/mud/sand/salt covered car....thats how mine looks right now too!

mine is probably about the same color as yours!!

:)

Day 1 completed, belt's still on. Today we've seen rain all day, popular time for things to malfunction on my car :), but, another day of rigorous driving and teh belt's still on, not slipping, looks great.



Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 4 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT / A'PEXi Super AFC

mic those washers if u can so we can reference unless u got them from the dealer i doubt..

Day 2, no problems once again. Another variety of driving conditions.

Mic the washers? WTF?? They're M10 washers, the same washers you'd get with the $15 camber mod.




Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 4 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT / A'PEXi Super AFC

Still no problems, I can probably justify that the mod works.



Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 4 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT / A'PEXi Super AFC