Ever since I built my Shortstar-powered flattie I've been dealing with problems with the one component I didn't engineer - the serpentine belt tensioner.

I traded my V8 Northstar to Turn Key Engine Supply for my V6 Shortstar compete with wiring harness ready to run.  The engine came with the alternator and power steering pump already on it.  The only problem is that the belt tensioning was done via a custom turbuckle mount on the alternator.  Adjusted for the proper belt slack to keep from breaking stuff meant the belt slipped and squealed when the power steering was working hard in the rocks.  Adjusted for no slip, the bolt that held the alternator to the block snapped repeatedly.  Not cool when it's going into the aluminum block of a $6,0000 engine.

The other quirk was the radiator I used.  I bought a used Howe radiator from Cappa and made it work with the driver-side inlet/outlet setup I had to deal with.  I build a crossover tube from exhaust tubing and braze welded it together.  The setup worked, but it also blocked access to the spot where the factory serpentine tensioner needed to mount.

To fix it, I ordered a new Howe double pass radiator with a Ford-style inlet/outlet on the driver-side.  The dimensions matched the radiator I had, so other than hoses it bolted right in.

With the tensioner in place I was able to build a solid alternator mount to prevent future bolt breakage.  Plus, the tensioner means no more power steering belt squeal in the rocks.

Naturally, I didn't think to have Howe build the new radiator with a 1-1/2-inch bung for the lower hose to match the Shortstar's outlet.  It took a little doing to find a hose with the right curve that also reduced from 1-3/4 down to 1-1/2, but my local Car Quest let me rummage until I found one that worked.  Next project should be a custom under-floor fuel tank so I can put some rear seats in for the kids.