Alternator/AC Belt on 94 MTX

[Howdy_Doody]

I've had my 'new' 1994 SHO for a week and I'm already finding things I think are serious issues to post!

My alternator belt flew off on Monday. No big deal, went to Autozone and bought a $10 belt (6K445, that's a 6 rib, 44.5" long). Got home and started to install it. It was extremely difficult to install...had to remove idler pulley and 'walk' it over the crankshaft pulley to get it on. I could barely install the idler pulley and it was at the top limit of adjustment.

With the idler pulley in this position, it was within a fraction of an inch (maybe 1/4") of the battery tray. When I drove the car, the slighteset engine rock would cause rubbing. If the battery happened to be positioned close to the edge of the tray, the pulley would be grinding and cutting into the battery. In fact, there is lots of evidence of battery acid all over the lower frame and engine, so this has apparently happened before.

Went to a Carquest store and bought a 1/2" longer belt (k060450, slightly different part number but means 6 rib, 45.0" long). Fits and runs perfect.

I did search the forums and found a couple of mentions of this problem on the 1994-95 cars (Ford apparently used a bigger alternator pulley in those years)I also checked the belt manufacturer's websites (also at the Carquest store) and they're all saying 44.5" long belt. Based on my experience, they're wrong.

 

[marvsho17]

Did you relieve the tension before putting on the new belt? After relieving the tension on the pulleys, both serpentine belts went on without any problems.

 

[Howdy_Doody]

After finally getting the first belt on 6K445, I ran the car for 15 minutes, then readjusted the idler pulley. Result was still way too close to battery box.

Read this post, this is what got me thinking that there is a catalog issue on the 1994-95 MTX cars:

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=12357&highlight=alternator+belt+size

 

[marvsho17]

I have yet to get a gen 2 mtx, but I guess I would make sure the battery tray is held down w/ the 3 screws and top battery hold down is fastened.

 

[AutoSHO]

The 94-95 MTXs have a different alternator (and mount) than the 89-93 MTXs. I know Jason (YamahaSHO) ran into this problem on his 95 as well - you need a slightly longer belt for it to fit properly.

 

[Rockledge]

The 94-95 MTXs have a different alternator (and mount) than the 89-93 MTXs. I know Jason (YamahaSHO) ran into this problem on his 95 as well - you need a slightly longer belt for it to fit properly.

Exactly the issue I had with my '94 MTX. I stepped up the belt size one increment (don't recall exactly the size) and I was all set. I've had no belt or squeal issues, many moons later, so it's the way to go, IMO.

And the point about the battery tray being bolted down properly, and the battery secured to the tray itself properly, is worth heeding, as well.

 

[Rockledge]

I've had my 'new' 1994 SHO for a week and I'm already finding things I think are serious issues to post!

My alternator belt flew off on Monday. No big deal, went to Autozone and bought a $10 belt (6K445, that's a 6 rib, 44.5" long). Got home and started to install it. It was extremely difficult to install...had to remove idler pulley and 'walk' it over the crankshaft pulley to get it on. I could barely install the idler pulley and it was at the top limit of adjustment.

With the idler pulley in this position, it was within a fraction of an inch (maybe 1/4") of the battery tray. When I drove the car, the slighteset engine rock would cause rubbing. If the battery happened to be positioned close to the edge of the tray, the pulley would be grinding and cutting into the battery. In fact, there is lots of evidence of battery acid all over the lower frame and engine, so this has apparently happened before.

Went to a Carquest store and bought a 1/2" longer belt (k060450, slightly different part number but means 6 rib, 45.0" long). Fits and runs perfect.

I did search the forums and found a couple of mentions of this problem on the 1994-95 cars (Ford apparently used a bigger alternator pulley in those years)I also checked the belt manufacturer's websites (also at the Carquest store) and they're all saying 44.5" long belt. Based on my experience, they're wrong.

It's funny how you learned the same lesson that I did regarding the SHO, in the same manner, under almost the same circumstances, and at the same point in ownership (I had mine about two weeks when the accessory belt went).

Welcome to SHOForum, and the wacky world that is the Ford Taurus SHO.

 

[Howdy_Doody]

Glad to hear others concur with my finding. The root cause of the problem is bad cataloging at Gates/Goodyear. I'm going to try and e-mail them about this and see if they bother to fix it. Hate to see some of the rarest SHO's get battery acid poured over them!