2 99's different temsioners

[desertt5]

I now own 2 1999 Cobras. Today O noticed that the tensioners are different. Curious which one is truly a 99.

The wife's Vert that we have had for a while:

My new to me coupe:

As you can tell one is vertical the other is horizontal

 

[99Cobra_vert]

The top one looks like my 99. Mine is a late-production car built in March '99.

 

[silver03svt]

It is possible that they both could be correct, especially if Ford changed the tensioner used in the production run somewhere along the line due to the part manufacturer's changes.

 

[3B99SVT]

My original tensioner looked like the bottom one, only it was steel. I now have an aluminum one. And I also have a cover/guard that partially covers the pivot point of the tensioner.

 

[Martel]

Could it be different blocks, Wap vs Windsor or some such?

 

[snakeraper11b]

General rule of thumb, the single bolt tensioner is regarded as an 01 style, and the 3 bolt tensioner is more typical of a 99 cover. Generally.

 

[scarlett98]

Looks like it.got a 01+ engine in it.

 

[scarlett98]

The vert that Is

 

[rcurtis]

If I recall correctly they changed that to prevent the belt from coming off. Mine looks like the bottom built in April of 99.
Rick

 

[Black*Death]

mine looks like the bottom one. May 99 build

 

[desertt5]

I appreciate all the replies. The top one has a build date of 5/99. The bottom has no sticker in the door anymore.

From the responses here it looks like some where mid production year they changed the tensioner. There cant be that many blocks that have been changed. Thanks

 

[fastback brian]

99 should have a three bolt tensioner.. the 3 bolt steel tensioner was a part of the 99 performance recall also.. you should be able to find a part number and even a year casted in that cover...

 

[desertt5]

99 should have a three bolt tensioner.. the 3 bolt steel tensioner was a part of the 99 performance recall also.. you should be able to find a part number and even a year casted in that cover...

Curious, what cover should and where? Thanks

 

[manystangs]

There is a cover that goes over the tensioner, also the performance recall tensioners doesn't have a slot for a breaker bar. In order to release the tension there is a bolt that screws into the tensioner and you crank on the bolt to release the tension. I can go take pictures of the tensioner and the bolt if you would like.

Dan