Grizzled

Got a '94 XL, with the 4.9/E4OD. The bearing in the belt tensioner is about shot, thing squeals/chirps pretty bad. So I need to chose between Dayco, Dorman, Motorcraft ($81 at O'Reillys), and Gates "Drive Align" ($53). The first two are cheaper, but I want one that will hold up long term. Guy I bought the truck from just replaced the pulley, and it's only lasted about 15 months. This time I'll replace the whole assembly. So what are your thoughts, good or bad, about these tensioners.

paintgiant

Definitely a good idea to replace the tensioner. When I first got my truck it chewed up 2 new belts, put in a new belt and tensioner and problem was gone. I can't remember what brand I got but I imagine it was Motorcraft through Advanced Auto. They're OE parts, so I would recommend that. As far as the belt, either OE or from what I have heard gatorback.

Grizzled

Appreciate the reply back, Paint. Probably go with the Gates. Advance doesn't sell Motorcraft, at least in my neighborhood. Looking into a Gatorback.

ramblinwilly

I bought one from Advance. It's been in and working fine for more than 2 years. Got the gatorback belt.

paintgiant

No problem I hope that solves your problems. I usually try to stick to OE with most anything due to there being slight differences here and there between brands which sometimes causes things to not line up straight etc. Find it saves time and frustration in the long run. In the case of the Gatorback that's a pretty highly regarded product from what I've seen. Good luck

Grizzled

New Gates tensioner and belt installed this afternoon. Truck is quiet again; we'll see how they hold up. Good to get a bit of crud under the fingernails. Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

Lazarus-F150

I realize that this is an old thread, but hopefully someone is still checking it...

I have been trying to replace the belt tensioner in my 92 F150 4.9L and have had two different problems with two different replacement tensioners. I bought the first tensioner (Dayco) from Auto Zone and while I was trying to flex it to get the belt back on the threads on the bolt stripped the threads in the receiver on the tensioning arm. I took it back and ordered a Motorcraft tensioner (interestingly also stamped as being made buy Dayco) through another supply company. This time when I tried to flex the tensioner to get the belt on the bolt torqued in two....

I have had no problem taking the belt off and replacing it with the stock tensioner on (I know that the lower tension is the reason that I need to replace it). Is there something that I should be doing other than simply using a breaker bar to flex the tensioner arm to get the belt on the tensioner pulley?

Any help would be greatly appreciated....its pretty frustrating to have problems twice with something that should be straightforward.

Thanks!

Crowder

Go to Napa and get their more expensive tensioned. OEM quality

Lazarus-F150

Thanks Crowder! I got the Napa tensioner for ~$64 and the installation went as it should of the first time and the belt squeal has been silenced! The bolt through the tensioner pulley has a noticeably larger diameter and runs the entire depth of the threaded channel, unlike the Dayco model from Autozone and the Motorcraft model. If anyone is reading this and trying to decide which tensioner to buy, then hands-down go for the Napa part (part #NBH38131).

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the update. I will be going to Napa when I finally get tired of shredding belts.