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Idler pulley as substitute for Power Steering Pump ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bhenders
  • Start date Start date Jul 15, 2026
B

Bhenders

Member
Mar 30, 2025
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1
13
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jul 15, 2026
#1
  • Jul 15, 2026
  • #1
I am hoping to find an idler pulley set up to take the place of my Power Steering pump. I am using a manual R & P unit. I thought I could just get a shorter serpentine belt and simply bypass the P/S. Unfortunately, I am getting a lot of belt slip, and it might be since the serpentine belt is not dropping down low to where the P/S pump would normally be, it does not have the same amount of contact with the water pump pulley when it comes back up. So lots of slipping and squealing as a result. (The engine is an 89 5.0 in a 51 Ford truck.) THX
 

LILCBRA

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air
Mod Dude
Dec 6, 2005
6,376
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Corn County USA
Jul 15, 2026
#2
  • Jul 15, 2026
  • #2
Since your setup isn't in a Mustang, what else is your belt driving? I'm wondering if a water pump change and reroute would work for you. I run a serpentine style belt in my Cobra II that only drives a standard rotation pump and alternator. It's routed conventionally. The only other thing you'd need to do is come up with a way to ensure the belt is tight enough since serpentine belts need more tension to drive some accessories. In my case, it was the 3G alternator. I started with nothing but the alternator swap, a V belt kept slipping. I went with an aftermarket adjustable alternator bracket, got it snugged up, and the problem went away. Here's my setup for reference:

LILCBRA said:
Finally got the Cobra put back together. I added what I had for antifreeze and it turns out I was short, so I'll need to pick up more. But I was able to fire it up for a couple minutes and there's no more belt issues.



I do have a concern though. The alternator is high enough now that it interferes with the upper radiator hose. I'll have to do some shopping and figure out if there's a molded hose that would work. If not, maybe a flex hose could be made to work?
Click to expand...
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
Jul 15, 2026
#3
  • Jul 15, 2026
  • #3
Need a pic of the front accessory drive
 
B

Bhenders

Member
Mar 30, 2025
6
1
13
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jul 16, 2026
#4
  • Jul 16, 2026
  • #4
Thanks guys. I am running a 3G alternator and A/C compressor and trying to use the conventional serpentine belt system, just with the air pump and P/S pump removed. Having trouble getting a short video to post. Will try so more.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
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Box behind Walmart
Jul 16, 2026
#5
  • Jul 16, 2026
  • #5
Bhenders said:
Thanks guys. I am running a 3G alternator and A/C compressor and trying to use the conventional serpentine belt system, just with the air pump and P/S pump removed. Having trouble getting a short video to post. Will try so more.
Click to expand...

Host your video on youtube then copy/paste the link here.
 

LILCBRA

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air
Mod Dude
Dec 6, 2005
6,376
5,359
194
Corn County USA
Jul 16, 2026
#6
  • Jul 16, 2026
  • #6
Just checking in and now see your reply. Since you're running the AC, this could help as long as everything is in it's stock location.

 
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