F-100 screeching fanbelt: SOLVED - Ford Forums

11-21-2005, 07:01

I took it to PepBoys and they said I had all new belts, but I hadn't
tightened the alternator belt enough. Believe me, I had it TIGHT and
within specs (1/8" deflection)...
they tightened it and charged me a total of - get this - $16 !! :+)
so the one here in Douglasville, Georgia is honest, professional, and
fast...
as I said, more to come on this truck, but gotta go to work!
thanks group!

11-21-2005, 08:01

If you had the belt tight and it was still screeching, I bet the
problem was not belt tension. You probably have some worn pulleys or
the wrong belts, probably worn pulleys. You can accommodate this by
purchasing belts with a slightly greater angle of V so they don't slip
in those old glazed pulleys. Any NAPA store can tell you the angle of
the original and spec a different replacement.
Just over tightening the belt to quiet it will result in wear on the
components being turned. PepBoys did not do you a favor and they
charged you for the privilege. They will be happy to sell you a new
water pump, alternator, etc. when the time comes soon.

11-21-2005, 23:01

On 21 Nov 2005 05:39:11 -0800, "kundalini" <kundaliniratter@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>I took it to PepBoys and they said I had all new belts, but I hadn't
>tightened the alternator belt enough. Believe me, I had it TIGHT and
>within specs (1/8" deflection)...
>they tightened it and charged me a total of - get this - $16 !! :+)
>so the one here in Douglasville, Georgia is honest, professional, and
>fast...
>as I said, more to come on this truck, but gotta go to work!
>thanks group!

1/8" deflection? Holy crap that's tight! I'd be worried about
crunching an idler or alternator bearing.. Had a shop do something
similar on an old Firebird I owned. They tightened the A/C belt so
much they destroyed the bearings in the compressor.

I think I'd hit the pullies with some 200 grit wet/dry paper and rough
'em up a bit to break the glaze on 'em and get the belt adjusted
properly. I've always done 3/4" to 1" deflection and never had a
slipping (at least not an audible one) belt problem.

11-24-2005, 21:01

Just thanks for the input - I'll check them tomorrow. That might be
their answer to every noisy belt; just "get 'er dun"..