Hi all, I recently purchased a replacement alternator from Autozone for my 2004, F350 with the 5.4L. Unfortunately I didn't take notice to the pulleys of my core and the new one when I purchased it until I went for the install. I went to their website to see if they gave me the wrong one based on my vehicle and all the alternators they carry for this truck have 8 groove pulleys. I need this truck back up and running and was wondering if using this alternator with 2 extra grooves would be an issue. Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

 

If you can't change the pully I would take it back and look elsewhere. I would think you maybe ok but the belt may slide off as well.

 

As long as the output is acceptable and the pulley the same diameter, and being careful to get the belt in the proper groves I don't see why it would be an issue.

 

Can the pulleys be swapped out? If so, this would be your best bet. If not,
Do the ribs on the 6 rib belt fit into the grooves of the 8 rib pulley? If they do, and the belt is not out of alignment, I would say it would work. But if the ribs of the belt and pulley don't match up, or pulley is out of line then no way.

 

Thanks for the replys guys! Mcrafty1: I was thinking the same thing, as long as the 6 line up I don't see it sliding under pressure.

 

Senix: I'm kinda "snakebit" with getting and alt for this truck as I had to return an Amazon purchase of the wrong one with totally different connectors then mine and then this Autozone one with the wider pulley and all they have is 8 and I had this truck down for too long and hoping this pulley won't be a show stopper! I'll toss it on there and see how it goes...I was actually waiting for feedback from the forum before I dirty'd up this new one so thanks again! I was waiting for the "Oh NO! I tried that and woe is me!!!" So since that wasn't the immediate responses..I feel good in trying it!

 

Thanks 99150! I'm going to find out in a bit how it lines up, I was waiting for feedback if someone has tried it. I'm thinking it might work too if all aligns!

 

Bolt it up, then take a ruler or straight edge and check for proper alignment.

 

If you still have access to the original one, I would take an impact gun and socket, burp off the nuts and swap the pullies. The belt jumping the tracks is not likely under normal conditions, but now and again you get a little debris in the belt from the road and the outer edges of the pulley are taller and will help get the belt back in the right track...

 

Well it's installed and seems to be working just fine! Did some errands with the truck and so far no issues!







This is lights, blower on high, side mirror heaters and a discharged battery at idle!

 

My John Deere skid loader alternator pulley has two more ribs than the belt from factory for what it's worth.

 

Thanks for the feedback twigsV10! I think your JD alt is a great example of what I was looking for as for feedback and it obviously isn't a problem for you!

 

I did the same thing. The issue would be if you had an 8 groove belt and got a 6 groove alternator pulley.
The back 6 grooves are in line with the rest of the pulleys, and it rides fine. I've got about 600 miles on mine with no issue.

 

Thanks hodge5! I was thinking I couldn't be the only one running into this issue! I would assume that if there was going to be an issue, 600 miles would've brought it out by now!

 

My son put an 8 rib alt on his 96 with a 5.8L that came with a 6 rib stock. going on over a yr now with no issues. lol