Belt on wrong side of pulley? 1991 4.0L

[jcook100]

Hi there, after looking at engine diagrams, it looks like my belt is on the wrong side of the idler pulley (red arrow in pic). Can anyone confirm this for me?

Strange, because I have had this car for 3 years now and only just noticed this. The belt has been like this the whole time.

 

[sheep herder]

It looks like that pulley has grooves. If so, the belt is on the right side.

 

[Dirtman]

I think those just look like grooves from the grooved side of the belt riding on a smooth pulley...

According to this, the belt is on the wrong side of the idler pulley

 

[sgtsandman]

If your engine is setup the same way mine is (it looks like it is), that pulley is supposed to be a grooved pulley. The pulley should be mounted on the belt tensioner. The only available pulley for the tensioner is plastic. I think someone installed a metal pulley because they didn't trust the plastic one, could find the plastic one, or just installed whatever they had on hand.

To answer your question, based on if it is setup the same as mine, the belt is on the correct side of the pulley. There should be a belt diagram on the rad support where the hood latches or near it. Look to see if it is still there. I believe the owner's manual also has a diagram in it. If you don't have the owner's manual, Ford offers a downloadable one for free on their web site under the owners section.

 

[jcook100]

I think those just look like grooves from the grooved side of the belt riding on a smooth pulley...

According to this, the belt is on the wrong side of the idler pulley

View attachment 47413

Yes, I saw this diagram too. I guess it should be on the inside. Thanks!