how do i tell which tension pulley is making the noise on a 1998 5L vt ss
or which one goes first
i intented to change them all but can only afford to do one at
a time
Get a piece of hose or pipe and hold one end to year ear and the other end near the pulley and you should hear if there is a problem with the pulley. Another way is to hold the plastic handle of a large screwdriver to your ear and place the other end on a non moving part near the pulley (the centre bolt is good on idler pulleys). Needless to say that the engine should be running while you do this.
Another way is to remove the drive belt and turn the pulleys by hand and you can often feel or hear any problems.
MY RIDE
I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken.