1993 7.3 IDI Belt Tensioner F4TZ6B209C

[JDA38]

Hello all, this is a much discussed topic but most of the threads I'm finding are 10-20 years old and potentially full of irrelevant information.

I have a 1993 E350 with the 7.3 IDI N/A Engine.
I would like to replace the belt tensioner and idler pulley.
Idler pulley is easy, still sold. Belt tensioner is part number F4TZ6B209C(Belt Tensioner with Shock).
It seems to be an obsolete part. It was only used in 1993 and 1994.
What have any of you used to replace this part?
Did you have to make any modifications?

I see used ones are available on Ebay but I'm really wary of just buying a used one, it may be no better.

Is Motorcraft Part Number BT33 a direct replacement? I see it for sale but virtually no mentions of it in forum threads. I primarily see it as a part number cross reference on sites selling it, but I'd like to make sure it's not something else for Powerstrokes. Some of these older parts are really frustrating to look for replacements, lots of websites seem happy to sell a "replacement" that doesn't seem to be correct.


Thanks in advance.

 

[KansasIDI]

Hello all, this is a much discussed topic but most of the threads I'm finding are 10-20 years old and potentially full of irrelevant information.

I have a 1993 E350 with the 7.3 IDI N/A Engine.
I would like to replace the belt tensioner and idler pulley.
Idler pulley is easy, still sold. Belt tensioner is part number F4TZ6B209C(Belt Tensioner with Shock).
It seems to be an obsolete part. It was only used in 1993 and 1994.
What have any of you used to replace this part?
Did you have to make any modifications?

I see used ones are available on Ebay but I'm really wary of just buying a used one, it may be no better.

Is Motorcraft Part Number BT33 a direct replacement? I see it for sale but virtually no mentions of it in forum threads. I primarily see it as a part number cross reference on sites selling it, but I'd like to make sure it's not something else for Powerstrokes. Some of these older parts are really frustrating to look for replacements, lots of websites seem happy to sell a "replacement" that doesn't seem to be correct.


Thanks in advance.

I use a Napa tensioner

No issues

Have seen Motorcraft tensioners on Ebay, I have a new one on a shelf

 

[DOE-SST]

My friend with a van identical to yours just replaced both on his van. I believe he went to O'Reilleys for the parts. He passed on a few Chinesium replacements from other stores that didn't look exactly the same as his old parts.

 

[klook]

I had to modify a non shock tensioner for my 92 IDI. Its been going almost a year. I still have the old shock and mount but could not find a way to get one or fix that one. It sheared of a little nub of cast pot metal that held it. Super strong spring so I didnt try to rig something up.
I would like to know if someone has sourced the original tensioner.

 

[JDA38]

I ended up gambling on a used on from Ebay. It worked great, no issues since installation. How did you modify yours, and what was the part number? I'm keeping my options open for the future lol!

 

[klook]

It was from a 93 parts list but I will have to search for the number. It looked the same except for the shock. The modifications was the bolt that goes thru it was different. I used the original shoulder bolt even though it no longer worked like a shoulder bolt. If I had time I might have come up with a bolt that worked better.

 

[Coltonreece]

I use a Napa tensioner

No issues

Have seen Motorcraft tensioners on Ebay, I have a new one on a shelf

Would this work on a f250 as well same year ?

 

[KansasIDI]

Would this work on a f250 as well same year ?

I swapped to the new Motorcraft one for some reason, and had issues with that. Swapped back. It’s on a 91, but the serpentine system is from a 94. I have a 94 as well with a complete setup, and also a complete setup from a 93. It uses an external spring tensioner.

I mess with F-Supers and F350 C&Cs, but I doubt there’s any difference between them and F250s