IDI Serpentine Belt

[IDIoit]

This is why the V-belt system is far superior. Less single-point-of-failure... and they don't make that squeak-squeak-squeak sound.

I had the tensioner bolt literally snap off a month after I bought my '93; I guess it was over-torqued.
That was a fun night - limping it to O'Reilly's, pulling half the brackets off to get to it, and then drilling and easy-outing the bolt...


As far as belt length goes, though, I've gotten 2 new belts for my '93. Got one at Napa, and they gave me one too /long/ first(turned out to be the Leece Neville alternator part), then the right one.

When I went to O'Reilly's, they got the belt right the first time around, no issues at all.

I would completely disagree. there is a very good reason ALL automobile makers have done away with v-belts.

 

[reklund]

you cannot mod the open spring tensioner to a closed spring.
you MUST get the closed spring tensioner bracket.
my research, and experience proves that the open spring design can only be bolted up 1 way, but the spring rides on a piece of aluminum.
hardened steel to cast aluminum, IMO there Is bound to be issues.
with the closed spring design, what retains the position of the tensioner is a hole in the cast aluminum bracket, and the cast nipple on the tensioner.
when you bolt the closed spring tensioner on the correct bracket, you get zero feed back on the threads in the alumuinum.
with the open spring design, youre fighting the actual spring.
it rides on a ramp designed to hold the spring and provide tension to the tensioner.
with aluminum threads IMO this is less desirable.

I will be taking off a closed spring design serp system in the next few days if anyone wants pics.

If you end up with an extra bracket, I'd be interested. Seems like a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[IDIoit]

CLB got my last one.
the set Im taking off is going on another engine

 

[Clb]

Brian.Your tensioner is hanging on the wall, with your name on it.
I just buttoned mine up.

 

[IDIoit]

and the tool you left here has company!

 

[IDIoit]

If you end up with an extra bracket, I'd be interested. Seems like a worthwhile upgrade.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/92-94-Ford-...ash=item25cf8fdee6:g:rX0AAOSwTuJYo3Gl&vxp=mtr

 

[Clb]

This weather holds up till next week the bike is calling to me....it needs some delta breeze.
We will see.

 

[Selahdoor]

I always remove the two outer alternator bolts but leave the single inner bolt in place but loosened. Then I thread the belt around all the other pulleys and compress the tensioner pulley. While compressing the tensioner pulley, I then pivot the alternator out toward the radiator and thread the belt over its pulley. I then pivot the the alternator back into position on its bracket and get one of the removed bolts started. Then I put the other alternator bolt in and tighten the three bolts down. The belt tension is correct and puts the tensioner right where it should be. I got this procedure from Dieselmann's IDI page, and it works even though an extra set of hands can be helpful when installing the belt. I currently run a Gatorback 4061110 belt (110" long). I think the tensioner you have does make a difference as to belt length. I am currently running the tensioner with the shock absorber on it.

By the way, if your son needs an extra belt to throw behind the seat, I think I have a 113" Gatorback that is in good shape that I was just going to throw away. It was on my truck when I had the aftermarket AC, which mounted the AC compressor in a different location than factory and required the longer belt. If he wants the belt for a spare, he can have it for free if he pays the shipping. I could probably ship it in a padded envelope for reduced cost.

I know this thread is old. My apologies to anyone really annoyed by that, but I need an answer.

Where did you find that gatorback belt for our trucks? I can't find one anywhere. Maybe they just stopped making them for our trucks since this thread was posted?

I need the 111 inch belt, not the 113 inch one.

 

[KansasIDI]

I know this thread is old. My apologies to anyone really annoyed by that, but I need an answer.

Doesn’t bother me a bit. Old information is still information.

Where did you find that gatorback belt for our trucks? I can't find one anywhere. Maybe they just stopped making them for our trucks since this thread was posted?

I haven’t been able to find them either. My understanding is that they don’t make them in that length anymore.

I need the 111 inch belt, not the 113 inch one.

I have been able to find a 110.5 inch one at Napa, it has worked for me.

 

[Selahdoor]

Doesn’t bother me a bit. Old information is still information.

I haven’t been able to find them either. My understanding is that they don’t make them in that length anymore.

I have been able to find a 110.5 inch one at Napa, it has worked for me.

Thank you.

I believe the one at napa includes plastics, and my local says they are out of stock anyway.