When I was doing my intake gaskets and had to remove the charger belt so I could remove the supercharger, i was having issues with the tensioner. The only was that I found on it where you get ahold of it to release tension was by using a torq bit. It'* very hard to even get in there with a torq bit and a rachet. Is that most likely a OE belt tensioner, or is that something aftermarket. I have seen pictures before and instead of that torq style bolt, it had a regular hex head bolt which you could actually get on it with a socket.

It doesn't really matter I guess, because the tensioner was feeling weird at that time and now one of the pulley'* on it is making noise, so I'm going to get a new tensioner.

While I'm somewhat talking about belts, will a standard OE belt work if I eventually change to a 3.4' or will I need a smaller belt.

Thanks

It sounds like you're talking about dropping a pulley size. Moved to P & B.

My question revolves around the tensioner itself. Mine idlers are shot and making noise. I am going to replace it within the next day or so. My question was, on the tensioner, is the bolt that you get on to release tension to remove the bolt, are they originally a torq style of bolt or are they a hex head. Mine is a torq bolt, and is almost stripped out and you cant get in there with a torq bit and rachet to even get on it.

Dropping to a 3.4 requires a 715 belt

to answer your question about the tensioner, my 97 uses a torx socket. If yours is stripped , just get a new one. to remove it if it is stripped, just cut a slot in the head so you can get a large flat blade on it to remove.