LobstahClaw

If it's simply an issue of a new belt slipping and not gripping some spray on belt dressing would help. It does the opposite of WD-40 in that it's sticky and makes the belt grab.

I had good luck with the diagnostic tool. It's electronic so it amplifies the sound. it only picks up sound from the end of the probe so if you place it on the part in question while it's running it can tell you something. A smooth machine noise and everything is cool. If you hear alot of cricks & screeches the bearings are worn out.

Another thing you could do is eyeball the belt while the engine is running. Are all the pulleys perfectly lined up ? Any wobble in the belt ?

It might just be the belt itself or it might be the belt slipping on a pulley that's demanding more torque than it should because the bearings in that part are getting ready to fail.

Shano56

Hm, well since I did just pay $45 on a new belt, I would obviously be upset if I bought a new one and it didn't fix it. If it did fix it, that would be great, but I don't really have the money to buy another one just to try. My only reason for caution is the alternator and air pump both make some noise when spinning them freely. Also the fan clutch makes some weird noise when spinning as well :/


Yes some belt dressing would probably work, but that's just a quick dirty fix. I'd be wasting my time cleaning off the belt and pulleys every week with all the dirt and dust collecting on the greasy belt. I will double check and make sure there's no wobble in the belt however. I don't think the belt is hydroplaning. I'll probably have to hold off on the stethoscope because of lack of funds, but it sounds like a good investment I'll keep it in mind.

mrslyfox

New belts can and do make noise. Best belt in my opinion that I have found, and have used many, is Goodyear Gatorback, but you will probably have to orde. Apx . $20 from Amazon, I'm sure you can find other places. Seems like a softer rubber compound and some cross grooves. I like em.... I know a guy who went through 4 belts before he got one that didn't make noise after a week. Dont get a Gatorback "type" from any auto parts store...make sure it's a Goodyear Gatorback. You wont buy a different belt again.

tdcarter72

Here is a link to ebay for the gatorback belts. They are as low as $14 with free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=...060895&_sop=15

Shano56

I cant find one that fits my 89 5.0L :/

Nvm, found one but its $55

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Goodyear-Bel...=mtr#vi-ilComp

found one a bit cheaper, i think its the same part

http://www.stockwiseauto.com/product...-150&Year=1989

tdcarter72

The 4060895 should be the one you need. It's the one I use for my 87 5.0. I don't know of any reason you would need a different size unless you have taken off your smog pump or a/c compressor.

mrslyfox

Huh...perhaps the reason its making a horrible noise....

tdcarter72

It did not hit me until this morning that the belt you are running is bigger then the one I am running on my 5.0, I think that is the cause of your problem.

Your running a 91.5" which could not be tight enough and is causing the belt to slip. Its worth a try anyway.

I would be interested to know what size belt other people are running on their 1987-91 F-150 5.0l. I thought they would be the same size.

Shano56

I had napa run a search for the belt and they gave me the one for a 5L. It matched the size of the previous belt. He told me there was a 1/4" difference between the 5.0L and the 5.8L.


It never had an A/C compressor. It has an A/C bypass pulley which I assume takes place of the compressor, allowing the belts to be universal size?