I am currently about to put in my new engine when I relized my old tensioner was broken. So instead of buying a new one I thought of a good idea. If I take out the tensioner pully and assembley and just buy a smaller belt to go around the ps and ac, would that work. I could just tension the belt with the ps pump. Maybe I could gain a horsepower or two from it also?

yeah, but the tensioner is made so it will automatically take up slack in the belt as it stretches. you would have to check it a lot but i would asume it is very possible. i'm sure some people have done it. i think black dog motorsports sells a solid tensioner that does something similar. in the latest superstreet i read about a kevlar t belt that is made to not stretch and is much stronger. maybe you could find a kevlar accesory belt.

Would I gain any horsepower by doing this?

"but the tensioner is made so it will automatically take up slack in the belt as it stretches"

ive never heard that before(?). the tensioner is solidly mounted, there is no way for it to actuate to accommidate for any slack in the belt.

and if you take it out, you wont pick up any HP. it does not produce a parasitic drag in the system (unless the bearings are TOTALLY shot).

try using the same belt minus the tensioner and using the p/s pump for tightness...it MAY still fit. if not, just get a belt thats about 2" shorter.

Thanks, all you guys.