rgorke
Dedicated LVC Member
So, my '04 V8 starting having a belt rattling type noise. I loosened the tensioner and took off the belt and noticed that the belt tensioner wasn't spinning as freely as it should. Once I removed the tensioner, I could here a bit of grinding as it was spinning. I ordered a new Motorcraft tensioner on line. I also sprayed a tiny bit of lube into the existing tensioner pulley and that really seemed to help. So, I was thinking that it would be ok to use for a couple of days until my new Motorcraft showed up.
Putting the existing tensioner back on, I got the bolt started and ratcheted away just nice and easy like. Until I got to where it was snug, got out my torque wrench, set it for 30 lbs and no click, then no click and then realized, I had stripped the hole in the block. ARGH!!!!! Steel bolts and aluminum blocks!!!! ARGH!!!!
Fortunately, I have a "real professional like mechanic" buddy coming over to help.
WORD TO THE WISE: Always and Always finger the steel bolts in as much as possible. It don't take much to cross thread aluminum.
Putting the existing tensioner back on, I got the bolt started and ratcheted away just nice and easy like. Until I got to where it was snug, got out my torque wrench, set it for 30 lbs and no click, then no click and then realized, I had stripped the hole in the block. ARGH!!!!! Steel bolts and aluminum blocks!!!! ARGH!!!!
Fortunately, I have a "real professional like mechanic" buddy coming over to help.
WORD TO THE WISE: Always and Always finger the steel bolts in as much as possible. It don't take much to cross thread aluminum.