Alternator Idler Pulley for V-Belts?

captain720

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That looks like a good idea. I haven't had any issues with the alternator belt on my 83, but the a/c is a totally different ballgame. At an idle with the compressor running it flaps hard enough that is starts squawking. I tried tightening the tensioner probably way too tight with a 3' breaker bar and it still does it.
It could be modified for the AC side as well I am quite happy with it and have no desire for serpentine now.
 

Rdnck84_03

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have no desire for serpentine now
I have never been a fan of the serpentine setup. At least with a v-belt if you break a belt there is still another one running the water pump so your not stuck on the side of the road.
 

Black dawg

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I have never been a fan of the serpentine setup. At least with a v-belt if you break a belt there is still another one running the water pump so your not stuck on the side of the road.
In theory, yes. The way it usually works though, is Alt belt fails and wipes out other belts at the same time.......and if you are lucky, wedges behind the water pump pulley pushing it out.
 

chillman88

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I have never been a fan of the serpentine setup. At least with a v-belt if you break a belt there is still another one running the water pump so your not stuck on the side of the road.

Drove all the way to work one morning with no alternator or power brakes because that happened to me! I was lucky enough not to pass any cops running at dawn without my headlights just marker lights hahaha.
 

Rdnck84_03

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I have done that on 84 f150 several times. I put the ambulance package alternator on it running a single belt so I can keep the a/c so it wears them out pretty fast. I always keep a spare behind the seat.
 

Nero

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Drove all the way to work one morning with no alternator or power brakes because that happened to me! I was lucky enough not to pass any cops running at dawn without my headlights just marker lights hahaha.
Funny you should say that. I found out the fun way that you can drive about 190 miles with headlights on, ac on, and radio going before the batteries start to give out. Forgot to hook the actual charge line from the alternator before going camping once. Oops.
 

chillman88

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Funny you should say that. I found out the fun way that you can drive about 190 miles with headlights on, ac on, and radio going before the batteries start to give out. Forgot to hook the actual charge line from the alternator before going camping once. Oops.
Yeah I didn't know and I didn't want to chance it. I'm glad to hear it can go for a while though!
 

The_Josh_Bear

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I was able to junk yard an idler like this : idler pulley. Came from a Nissan Maxima IIRC but it doesn't matter really. Just something like that, add some washers to stack it off the block, and ignore the V-configuration. It's just enough to take out the vibration, there's really no pressure on it. BTW I'm not saying this pulley will work, just one like it. Maybe I can grab some measurements later.

I think I did that 10 years ago? Maybe longer. Haven't lost an alternator belt since. And because it's "taller" than the v-belt pulley, it still touches the belt using the existing lower bolt for the alternator adjustment bracket.

Sorry I'm late to the party!
 
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