Which alternator do I have?

[fields_mj]

Out of curiosity, is there any way to tell which alternator that I have? When I was going through the process of changing my vacuum pump a few weeks ago, I became painfully aware that there are multiple lenths of serpentine belts available. Aparently there are 2 or 3 different alternators available that each use a different belt length. The folks at my local carquest never asked any questions about it, and the belt they sold me was the shortest of the bunch. Due to issues with the vacuum pump, the old belt got trashed while I was at a camp ground out in the middle of no where. I got the new belt on, but it took 3 of us to do it. With a 1/2" breaker bar on the tensioner, the tip of the breaker will now move about 2" before it bottoms out. That doesn't leave a whole lot of room for getting the belt up over the edges of the tensioner and the pully, but we did finaly get it. Anyway, I looked the Alternator over, and the only thing I can find is a part of one of the electrical connections that has "Motorcraft" molded into it. Can anyone clue me in as to the different sizes of the pullys? For curiositys sake, I'd like to know what I actually have on the truck.

For what it's worth, I already bought another spair belt, and this time I got the longer version. It's 2" longer (113 5/8"), and I figure that will make it so that I can change it on the side of the road if/when I need to.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[93f250idi]

when i put my serpintine belt on it was a PITA! the belt seemed to be about a 1/2 inch too short. so i took it back and got the other belt. well it was 1 too big. so swapped them out again. with 2 people and a pry bar we finally got it on there.

 

[fields_mj]

Well, that's what I was afraid of. Once I ran the new belt for a few days, I could get it on and off alright. It was still a snug fit, but I was able to do it on my own with very few issues. When I was asking the parts shops about the belts, I was afraid that 2" was just too much of a difference. It would be nice if someone made one that was about 112" instead of 111 5/8". Heck, I think the one that Autozone had was 110" I have no idea how somebody could get that thing on there, espcially if it's cold out side.

 

[icanfixall]

Towcat has all the information on what diameters the alternater pulleys are... when he wakes up I'm sure he will post something.