petrock

The bearing inside the pulley on the belt tensioner is on its way out on the girly's 3.8L, so I want to replace the pulley. Don't want to replace the entire tensioner, just the pulley. Couple questions that the factory service manual hasn't answered:

1) Do I have to remove the entire tensioner to replace the pulley?
2) Is the bolt going through the pulley right or left turn threaded?
3) What is the torque spec on the bolt going through the pulley?

Thanks...

Xemeth

I looked up a few pics since I don't really remember what the 3.8 engine bay looks like, and I think I have some answers for you.

1. Doesn't look like it. You can probably remove just the pulley with that bolt.

2. It depends on which way the tensioner moves. Just use a regular 12" 3/8 ratchet and try turning the bolt one way. If it feels really tight, then try the other direction. Just use your head and don't go incredible hulk on it.

3. Torque spec is tight. Again, this is a sense thing. I'm sure Ford has an actual torque spec on it, but who gives a ****. Just make it tight. This isn't a head bolt or a rod bolt or something, the bolt isn't a stretch bolt. It's not a major precision engine part. Just use your head and make it tight. If you have any shred of sense at all, you should manage to tighten it sufficiently to where it will hold with no problem, and not tighten it too much to where it snaps.

NeoTokyo

Just attack that ****, if it breaks get a new one.

petrock

Ok, dove in and got it done. To answer my questions for those who may come upon this thread later on…

1) No. Just unbolt the pulley, swap pulley and bolt it back on
2) Lefty tighty, righty loosy…
3) Tight enough to move the tensioner

Hope this helps someone...

jj79miro

I am struggling in how to determine which ball bearing is making the noise before removing the tensioner pulley and changing it. Any suggestion?

I already changed the belt so I am sure us a pulley ball bearing. Now dont know how to determine which one.

Thank You

Daehawk

Mechanic's sonar scope.

petrock

You mean Mechanic's Stethoscope? With the motor running, take the metal rod and place it on some non-moving parts (e.g. the mounting bolts). It should be pretty easy to figure out which one is the culprit. Good luck...

jgwing44

You can take the belt off and try to turn them by hand. The bad one should be pretty easy to spot, either by noise or being hard to turn

Daehawk

Nope I meant Mechanic's Sonar Scope

George Merrill

2 is bad information the torx bolt is NOT reverse thread. I just broke 2 ratchets over tightening due to this bad information.