Great links, Glenn! I needed to do it in a day since I couldn't have downtime on the truck so I needed the parts faster, but otherwise I'd go with the OEM from Amazon you linked and save the dough. The Gates one just looks a bit too cheap as far as build quality.

DS

 

You got it. The early fix was to use the van tensioner, but they both became the same tensioner. I used the truck part numbers and it all worked out.

For $30 more, I'd go with Glenn's OEM link, but it's your call obviously.

DS

 

BTW, are you interested in the belt routing decal?

I am thinking about having them reproduced as ford no longer has them any more. I had to call the last 4 dealers in the country that the computer said still had one.

Richard

 

I am! I was unable to find one. Very cool, thanks!

 

I am also interested in the decal Richard.

 

x3

Since I am doing the water pump soon and you guys happen to have this thread going.. it just seems like a "might as well" cuz my tensioner looks to have a bit too much movement.

And I have a spare bracket from my other engine so I can make the modification without worrying about Fin up my truck! lol

Edit: Great links by the way glenn! Between this and your Mare thread I've found almost all I need to know about the T44E water pump and dual tensioner mods! lol

 

Glad I could help.

 

If you have any more of those decal's i could use one.I am going to do this mod to my 7.3.I would be happy to pay for it,those are pretty hard to find!I have been on allot of other forums but just registered here today!Thanks!

 

I'd be interested in the decal too

 

Well, welcome to FTE!!

New guy Greg has a good point. Richard, let us know what the decals would cost to get done and I'd send some coin your way.

I think I would take several to squirrel a couple away.

DS

 

I did this mod this weekend on my recently acquired '95 and just wanted to say thanks for the thread. Lots of info you find on the web is outdated, so it is good to find a recent post.

I bought my parts from AutoNation aka Tousley Ford Parts.

Tensioner: F8UZ6B209CA $81.68
Belt: 1C2Z8620LA $44.26

Plus shipping costs. Parts arrived in 3 days.

I took my time and it was off, back in and done in 2 hours. I used a sawzall to cut the boss and a 4-1/2" grinder with a cut wheel to cut down the rib. Then a grind wheel to kind of smooth it all up.

I originally heard a squeak and thought the old tensioner was rubbing the idler pulley, but when I took them off I didn't see any fresh rub marks. Belt I took off was pretty new, so maybe I am heading off a problem.

I also took a tip from somewhere and carefully took the seal out of the upper idler bearing, wiped out what I could of the old grease and put some fresh grease in there.

I would also like to have a decal, but the routing was pretty much the same. I mostly would like to have the belt part number on there so that next time I will remember to buy the longer belt.

 

Same here, I would pay for a decal.

 

If you can't get a decal, print a copy of the routing and put it in your glove box.

 

I'd take a decal. I'll probably be doing this mod soon as my 97 is going: Squeak-Squeak....Squeak-Squeak and its driving me nuts. I just need to figure out how to confirm this is the problem.

 

I didn't think you were supposed to use a standard grinding wheel on aluminum. Something about the Al collecting in the grittiness of the wheel until BOOM it explodes from the extra mass of the Al.