I recently put a reprogrammed SuperChip back into my 98 f150 4x4 4.6l. It was reprogrammed to shift at a later mph range, i.e., instead of 13-15 mph 1-2 to 20-25 mph 1-2 with a firmer shift. This is for towing. I really love the way the truck now performs but I have picked up a squeal or chirp somewhere in the front of my truck. It sounds like a belt but maybe it is the transmission. I put some belt dressing on my serpentine but it did not help so I don't think its the belt. It only happens when going into overdrive and 2-3 gear under a W.O.T condition. I am a little worried about the tranny to say the least. I have done a search of this site under tranny squeal, belt info etc. Some people have experienced this problem but no answer as to what it is and if it is normal and if it is a belt or its damaging the tranny. I talked Mike T. at SuperChip and he does not know what the problem is or if it is a problem. I would really like to resolve this problem!

 

HI!... Today I went to my local parts store and found out that the stock belt on a 5.4L engine with A/C is 99.1 inches long and a 8 rib belt. They have a "GATES" 98.1 inch long, 8 rib belt in stock, so when I get enough cash I'm going to try the shorter belt. The reason for the shorter belt is because today I checked my belt tensioner and it is already at it's limit. It can't make the belt any tighter. I think this is because of the ASP power pulleys. I'll let you guys know how it goes after I get the new shorter belt. By the way when you guys check your belt, there is a rule of thumb to go by. Grab the longest stretch of exposed belt and try to twist it sideways. If the belt is tight enough, you should not be able to twist it more than 90 degree's. When I did this to my belt I could twist it 180 degree's. So that tells me right there that the belt is WAY too loose and the squeel on my truck is caused by the belt simple "SLIPPING".

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK"
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

With as many mods as some of us have,it kind of makes me wonder if we're
making more power than the stock tensioner can handle. Maybe an aftermarket tensioner is in order. Hmmmm........98



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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Stillen Quad light air dam, sweet!!
Euro taillights
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
[b]Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
Viper alarm
On the way/wheels,tires, etc..etc.......
the monochromatic boogie is done,cool!.
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com

officialtomwaits.com
reverendhortonheat.com

WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!
Had to take the picture out,it was way too out of date,,,,98

 

Folks:

I thought that the tensioner automatically adjusted the tension?

Is replacing the tensioner difficult? My belt squeals constantly (3rd belt in 12,000 mi), and I'm thinking about replacng both he belt and the tensioner.

Also, is there an easy way (visually) to check the alignment?

Please help, this noise is killing me!

TIA!

KK

 

i just bought a 88 ford F150 with a 4.9. It had a mild squeak (not a squeel) comming from what i thought was the belt. got it home and dressed the belt with belt dressing. the squeak went a way. Next day i drove it. about 15 miles from home the squeak came back but a 100 times louder. I brought it home and put a few drops of oil behind the idler pulley bolt washer. it stopped insantly, so i replaced the pulley. 30 miles later the squeak came back, so i put a few drops of oil again behind the washer. it stopped instantly. I can get about 20-30 miles to a oiling. The pulleys all line up ok, the alternator, power steering etc. The belt looks real good.
not sure what to do at this time?

P.S. Bluegrass Rocks!