Hi, I'm new here and female................................
I got me this F150 1989 5 years ago and had to replace the alternator 4 or 5 times. The tension on the belt seems a little too much, but I can't get it loosened up. Everything seems just fine untill I fire up the engine and the tensioner gets itself back to the tightest possible. Maybe I'm just a little challenged, but some advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Are you using an OEM replacement belt?

Nothing wrong with aftermarket belts at all but I'm thinking they gave you one the wrong length.

My tensioner has a wear indicator to let you know when the belt is old. Don't know if yours does or not being an 89. Mine sets right in the middle of the travel.

Have you by chnace looked at the tensioner itself? They do go bad.

 

thanks, next timeI'll go to town I'll check on a new tensioner, never thought about that.

 

The tensioner has a "zone" marked on it. Make sure it is in the zone. Also, it is easy to run the belt wrong in relationship to the water pump (I know for sure on the 302/351). Make sure it is in the proper place.

 

Well, that's my problem, the arrow is in the middle, I fire up and it goes straight to the right mark and I can't get it to stay a little more to the left, what would be better and release some tension.
The belt is in the right position, I just payed $ 1800 for front end and other work, I thought these people would notice, but nooooooooooooooo

 

The position changes drastically when the engine is running vs not running? Maybe another accessory is not spinning freely causing excess tension in the belt.

 

Thanks for the advice, but I don't think so. Actually I was expecting something else to loose the bearrings, but it's only and
always the f&^%$#@! alternator.
www.alaskakreations.com

 

how much of a add on do you have in electrical accesseries? lots of roll bar lights? driving lights? camper in tow?...being in Alaska and the darkness you endure(Barrows 1979-80) i would only guess that you've got plenty of "light ;em up's"...maybe a little larger alternater? putting a lot less strain on everything else

 

Hey Barrow, the time I lived up there was the most serene in my life. No drugs, no alcohol, no men....................But how serene can I be without men?????????????????????
No, not too many lights and a big alternator in the first place, but thanks for your reply.
www.alaskakreations.com

 

The reason I thought maybe another accessory is I had an air pump that got "stiff". It never made any bearing noise, but when I tried to turn it by hand it was darn near froze up. I replaced it at the time. The guy before me welded a ring around the alternator because the belt would jump off. I have since replaced the alternator, never thinking that the two were related. The stiff air pump, however must have caused the jumping belt. Just my thought and you might double check on the off chance to make sure all the accessories turn freely because they will not necessarily make noise due to bearing failure.

Otherwise, I guess buy a lifetime replacement alternator and stick a new one on every year.
A little of a hassle but a simple job.