"Warning" If using "Other" Than Ford Motorcraft A/C Stretch Belt Measure

[DougS550]

If you replace your A/C stretch belt no matter what year, Make sure to measure your A/C Stretch Belt "IF" you buy other than Ford Motorcraft. I didn't notice until I installed the Autozone Continental 4060344S belt before I noticed it was way to tight. I measured both the Conti belt and Ford Motorcraft belt and discovered the Continental belt was 1 full inch shorter. Yikes that would not have been good.

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[Skye]

Thanks for the insight.

I haven't changed the belt on Skye, but have on other vehicles. Every installation I've done, it's tight enough as-is. There's no way I'd get the belt across the pulleys with an inch less, even if it is supposed to stretch (once on!).

https://www.continental-engineparts...8999-2243320a67e4/Stretch_Belt_Sell_Sheet.pdf

Our Stretch Multi V-Belts are uniquely designed with the latest OEM technology in EPDM compounds and nylon tensile cord. The cord is designed to elongate and stretch during installation but recover to maintain proper tension. Our Stretch Multi V-Belts are slightly shorter than fit length so, once installed, they automatically achieve the proper tension and maintain that tension over the life of the belt.

Installation of the Stretch Multi V-Belt is unique and depends on the OE application. Always follow the OE installation procedures provided by the auto manufacturer. When required, use installation tool 08005 or the OE installation tool.

Edit,

And in my mind, I don't want/need the belt to stretch. All my vehicles have spring-loaded tensioners. Installing a "stretchy" belt seems to go against that.

 

[DougS550]

Thanks for the insight.

I haven't changed the belt on Skye, but have on other vehicles. Every installation I've done, it's tight enough as-is. There's no way I'd get the belt across the pulleys with an inch less, even if it is supposed to stretch (once on!).

https://www.continental-engineparts...8999-2243320a67e4/Stretch_Belt_Sell_Sheet.pdf

Our Stretch Multi V-Belts are uniquely designed with the latest OEM technology in EPDM compounds and nylon tensile cord. The cord is designed to elongate and stretch during installation but recover to maintain proper tension. Our Stretch Multi V-Belts are slightly shorter than fit length so, once installed, they automatically achieve the proper tension and maintain that tension over the life of the belt.

Installation of the Stretch Multi V-Belt is unique and depends on the OE application. Always follow the OE installation procedures provided by the auto manufacturer. When required, use installation tool 08005 or the OE installation tool.

Edit,

And in my mind, I don't want/need the belt to stretch. All my vehicles have spring-loaded tensioners. Installing a "stretchy" belt seems to go against that.

All I know is the Conti was 1 inch smaller and took me and another guy 20 minutes to get it to wrap around the IW damper pully. I cut the conti belt belt and removed. I then just now installed the OEM Motorcraft A/C belt by myself without any issues. I have been working, repairing, building, blue printing engines since I was 15, that was over 45 years ago. I personally Hate Stretch belts for they can over stress the crank/journal bearings. I would much rather be able to adjust the belt tension myself than let the manfacture of stretch belts do it for me. But, that's just me. I'm extremely anal, almost OCD with everything I do.

 

[ice445]

Isn't that normal for stretch belts though?

 

[DougS550]

Isn't that normal for stretch belts though?

For me, If any belt I install stretch belt or not, takes two people to fight with just to get the belt over the damper pulley, and afterwards the belt sounds like a piano string when you snap on it, that's just doesn't pass my conscience. I like others on this forum, pass information pertaining to mods, repairs, or just basic work/service, hoping this information might help others when they perform these types task. It's only Food For thought Persae for others to take into concidetation when making decisions when doing these things.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

With my 2014 GT I didn't even bother when I got to 100K I did full maintenance and just replaced stretch belt design with a tensioner. So much better.

 

[DougS550]

With my 2014 GT I didn't even bother when I got to 100K I did full maintenance and just replaced stretch belt design with a tensioner. So much better.

How did you do that. I think I would have to replace the front timing cover and buy the tension kit? What year did you have to buy the timing cover for to fit the tensioner? if this is the route you had to go?

 

[raptor17GT]

I noticed on rockauto the different lengths listed for the same supposed belts which meant the savings on belts wasn't worth risking the wrong parts being sent to the UK. I ordered locally and actually got the same motorcraft belt as you listed above. SST can be a 3mm cable tie apparently..

 

[DougS550]

I noticed on rockauto the different lengths listed for the same supposed belts which meant the savings on belts wasn't worth risking the wrong parts being sent to the UK. I ordered locally and actually got the same motorcraft belt as you listed above. SST can be a 3mm cable tie apparently..

With the OEM belt, all I had to do was use a 90 degree panel remover tool and just held downword pressure until the belt was past 3 o'clock position as uour looking at crank damper. I couldn't figure out why the Conti belt was so hard and actually felt like a "None Stretch" belt for it would not stretch like the OEM MC belt.

 

[ORRadtech]

I've not had to replace one of these belts yet. Can't say I've been looking forward to my first.
Questions;
Why were you replacing the belt? Slipping, failure, preemptive maintenance?
Is there a difference between the length of the old belt and the new? Meaning is there any permanent stretching?
Thanks for the reminder to check belt length prior to the install. I always try to take the old one with me for comparison as I've brought home the wrong size when just going by the parts book.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

How did you do that. I think I would have to replace the front timing cover and buy the tension kit? What year did you have to buy the timing cover for to fit the tensioner? if this is the route you had to go?

I bought this one from LMR. I am not sure if its available for the 2nd or 3rd gen though. Did not need to modify anything on the 1st gen, its a bolt on.

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-8620DK/ford-mustang-a-c-tensioner-pulley-kit-5-0l-11-14

 

[DougS550]

I bought this one from LMR. I am not sure if its available for the 2nd or 3rd gen though. Did not need to modify anything on the 1st gen, its a bolt on.

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-8620DK/ford-mustang-a-c-tensioner-pulley-kit-5-0l-11-14

I contacted LMR last year on it and they said it wouldn't work. I think I would have to replace the timing cover. But, I will ask my dealership to verify what year it did change.

 

[DougS550]

I've not had to replace one of these belts yet. Can't say I've been looking forward to my first.
Questions;
Why were you replacing the belt? Slipping, failure, preemptive maintenance?
Is there a difference between the length of the old belt and the new? Meaning is there any permanent stretching?
Thanks for the reminder to check belt length prior to the install. I always try to take the old one with me for comparison as I've brought home the wrong size when just going by the parts book.

I replaced my harmonic balancer with a Innovators West Damper 10% OD so I don't have to use such a small blower pulley to run 16lbs boost. As far as the original MC belt, same length, 34-1/8".

 

[Johnnybee]

Given the life expectancy of a belt, it seems folly to use anything other than OEM. You know it will fit and any cost difference is meaningless.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Isn’t a “used” stretch belt with miles on it going to fit more loosely than a new stretch belt right out of the package??


For others information if they have not had to do this job (yet):
This thread discusses how to remove the A/C stretch belt (and an available Lisle tool to do it too):
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/ac-stretch-belt-help-please.175709/#post-3554880

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