While swapping over to my new polished pulley support I noticed the Idle pulleys didn't spin very freely..To correct this I popped off the bearing dust seals with a small pick and washed the bearings out with "break-away" ( wd-40 etcc..works well too).From there I repacked them with high pressure-temp grease and re-installed the dust caps..When I first took them off they would rotate 2-3 times, now with the same amount of force they'll spin 12-15 times..Once I started the truck the noise from the front of the motor was noticably quieter, strange thing is it didn't seem noisy to start with.

 

That's a great tip Paul, I couldn't begin to count how many of those pulleys I've changed when I worked at the dealer, not just on Lightnings, but all Fords that use them. I think I went through three sets on my 99.

 

Does it look like the dust caps will keep the grease from flying all over the engine compartment? I cant tell from the picture.

Great TIP!!

Jason

 

Thanks Sal,
It really is so easy to do I'll now consider it part of normal maintenance.

Jason,
You'll want to re-install the dust caps or you'll have a mess..lol

 

I would think a "high pressure-temp grease" would put a 'drag' on the bearings while it was fresh and 'cold'??? Yet, they spun more freely??? I can understand this if the grease was 'hot'.....

Forgive me for questioning you because this is certainly a worthwhile maintenance idea!

Dan

 

Dan
I guess it would depend on the grease you use. I use a fairly lightweight product made by silkolene which caters mostly to the motorcycle and recreational vehicle market. I have been using it for years in all types of motorsports and it holds up better than anything I've used.
Also the pulley was done while the truck was hot ( couldn't hold it bare handed) combined with the Florida sun in the driveway..
Try it I think you'll be surprised at the difference
Paul

 

Paul
I like those Polished supports alot. The truck is looking better and better each time you post a pic. Got any pics of the supports installed? Oh yeah and when are you gonna become a vendor and start selling some fo those goodies you are coming up with hehe

 

Would you guys think that this is more of an issue with a different pulley setup, or do you think that this is occurring with the stock pulley setup also?

JC

 

Paul-

Thanks for the tip! I need to get in touch with you this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Andy

 

While we're on the subject of these pulleys. Can someone tell me the Ford (or Motorcraft) part number for them.

They appear to be identical to the one on the left head that tracks the fan belt, are they?

 

I believe there is a part # stamped on the face of the pulley. I use that number here in the plant.

I had my pulley suport bracket and front motor cover powder coated polished aluminum. I will post pic. of my project as soon as i'm done looks like next week.

Suavy

 

On the subject of pulleys? The subject you replied to pretty much ended on 6-12-02.

But I will say that this post is very informative and should get rotated to the top every now and again.

 

Old but good post. I noticed that I'm loosing some paint on those pulleys, but not the lower one almost 7k miles.

My question is does anybody know why?

 

Mine are pretty much paint free ... too much
rotational acceleration? <grin>

 

ATTN: TZrider

TZrider, I dropped you an e-mail about your tonneau cover. Let me know if you got it. Thanks!