Tensioner and tensioner/idler pulley(s)

[stumpie]

2003 V8

Rockauto's parts catalog for tensioner and pulleys is confusing me.. It lists a Goodyear tensioner and a Goodyear tensioner pulley (the info page lists this as an idler pulley but the catalog lists it as a tensioner pulley). It looks like the tensioner comes with a pulley but the separate pully has shoulders. Is there any benefit to ordering the separate flanged pulley? Both have a 76mm OD and 17mm ID. The smooth has 30.5mm width, the flanged has 31mm width (basically they are identical except for the shoulders).

It also lists a Goodyear Idler Pulley which is 90mm OD.

Which of these parts should I replace for maintenance with a V-belt change?

TIA

 

[joegr]

The tensioner comes with its own pulley. There's no need for the shoulders. The way the flat belt works, shoulders wouldn't help anyway. (Either it runs correctly in the middle of the pulleys or it gets chewed up by the shoulders, they wouldn't keep it in place.)

There's also a fixed idler pulley, and that might be the other one they are showing. It seems like I did compare them once and it looked like the pulley on the tensioner was about the same as the idler pulley.

http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6x35004.htm~gen~ref.htm

 

[BlackLS06]

I would still recommend the redesigned part. Ford revised that pulley for a reason. The shoulders can help keep the belt in place should the tensioner fail.

 

[joegr]

I would still recommend the redesigned part. Ford revised that pulley for a reason. The shoulders can help keep the belt in place should the tensioner fail.

Don't count on that.

 

[stumpie]

I bought the tensioner (with pulley), the flanged pulley, and the 90mm idler, and a Gatorback belt. Just in case the idler pulley on my motor is 76mm, I'll have the extra. Bought from Amazon which has a great return policy. Whichever pulley doesn't fit "was marked incorrectly on the product page" so they'll pay for return shipping.

 

[LS4me]

Whichever pulley doesn't fit "was marked incorrectly on the product page" so they'll pay for return shipping.

Which is why the rest of us pay higher prices...... Suck it up and pay the $5 to return the incorrect one you ordered.

Ethics truly are dead......