Idler pulley help - pics

[rpsharpe]

I have a 1986 CJ7 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with factory air. The back of the V belt rides on an idler pulley which has been squealing for some time. The only pulley I can find on-line has 6 grooves. As you can see, this pulley is different. It is about 3" in diameter, 1" thick and steel. Anyone find one??

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Never seen that on a v-belt setup.
That belt run'n the idler pulley is to narrow and has 'sunk' into the crankshaft pulley.
That's where the squeal'n is coming from--------
LG

 

[Neuner]

I have a 1986 CJ7 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with factory air. The back of the V belt rides on an idler pulley which has been squealing for some time. The only pulley I can find on-line has 6 grooves. As you can see, this pulley is different. It is about 3" in diameter, 1" thick and steel. Anyone find one??

I just picked one up that is originally for a '98 ZJ 4.0 from Autozone. They have a 3.5" and 3" when you look it up. The 3.5" comes with the bushing that is needed as well which caught the autozone guy off guard since he's never seen that before. You're correct in that you have to ask for the idler pulley in lieu of the tension pulley.

Your's is really rusted and I'm bettin' the bearings have gone bad causing the squeal.

 

[Hedgehog]

Yeah I was thinkin' it's a good thing you occasionally drive your jeep, if not just think of the amount of rush scale the idles would have on it.

 

[rpsharpe]

To all,
Thanks for your help and recs.
Lumpygrits - perhaps I don't have factory air setup??
Neuner - Will check with Autozone
Yep, it's rusty!! I just spray the bearings with WD40 every week, but it'll seize up soon!

Just found a PDF file on haydenauto.com web site. It looks like idler pulley 5019 is very similar. Does anyone know why it wouldn't work??

http://www.haydenauto.com/upload/HaydenAuto/Documents/Cat_Hayden/2007-hayden-idler-pulleys.pdf

 

[Hedgehog]

I am not one of those WD-40 haters, but use it for what it's really good at and your use isn't it. Get a can of spray oil or lubricant. It will cost about the same and last far longer than WD-40 and lubricate the bearings far better. Also, when it finally does go, find a bearing supply house and replace the bearing. You will save a lot of money doing it.

 

[51 CJ3]

I agree with Hedgehog 100%. WD-40 (Water Displacement, 40th formula) has its uses but it was not designed primarily as a lubricant.

Jeff

 

[rpsharpe]

No doubt you are correct about WD 40 - I just used what I had until I could get to replacing the bearing and pulley...

Will be trying Neuner's idea today - they have it in stock and are close by.

Thanks to all for your comments!

 

[Torxhead]

RPSharpe, I believe the CJs all went to the serpentine system by around '84. So you could have a converted belt setup or a different engine than it came with. Just a thought.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Look at get'n the CORRECT belt too.
That belt you have on now, is just to narrow for that main pulley.
LG

 

[Tinman22]

Look at the topic in drivetrain about PDFs manuals and follow the link for the parts manuals at Morris 4x4 go to the 81-86 PDFs go to pages 205-206 you have some options there factory or dealer installed air the following pages show the pully numbers. Also the 87-90 PDFs 164-169 show the same v belt setup on yjs and grand waggys.

 

[rpsharpe]

To all,
Thanks for the recs. I bought the pulley Neuner suggested and the job went well.
Good thoughts about the engine and getting the correct belt. Will work on it!