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Old 08-16-2018, 04:44 PM   #1
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Damon 2004 Ford F-53 V-10 Serpentine belt

Well I just went through the find a belt that fits on my 2004 Damon Challenger with Ford F-53 chassis and V-10 6.8L motor. I just bought the MH in January 2018 and it only had 5436 actual miles on it. Everything on it is original except the motor battery and the house battery. It would be considered a barn find but it was outside some place in southern California. About 2300 of the miles on it were from it being driven from where it was built in Indiana to the dealership where it was originally sold in California. The other 3100 miles were from the original owner, then it sat somewhere unused.

The paper how to care for stickers were still on the tub and shower. The original Goodyear G670 RV tires still on it and no cracks or splits on any of the tires and no measurable wear. The generator only had 3.2 hours on the meter.

Now for the problem, parts books show a 100 inch belt and mine is 110 long and so are most others of that year. The belt on it is the original Motorcraft 2C3E 8620 CB. I wanted to replace the belt and keep the original as a spare just in case. I carry spare fuel filter, fuses, light bulbs, square headed screws, Dicor sealer, wiper blades, and any other items that are small and light that are used for emergencies. I tried to get the belts that others in this post said but no luck on any of them, so back to Oreilly with the original belt again and this time someone that understood belts as I have now learn a little about the number as to the size of the belt and number of ribs.

The parts person brought out another belt and we checked it beside the original and it was still to short, I asked him if he had one 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch longer. He went back and brought back a Gates Micro-V 6PK2793 metric, Actual part number is K061099. Size 13/16" x 110-1/2". I asked him to tell me I couldn't return this one because it was going to fit, so we both laughed and I took it home and it did fit with a little bit of effort to get it on the a/c compressor last. I have attached a photo of the packing of the belt and also the belt routing on the front of the motor. I hope I never have to change it on the side of the road as you could easily get burned. O'Reilly is second to NAPA but with O'Reilly you get a longer warranty that is good at any O'Reilly and no questions asked. Yes, NAPA can often get parts the others can't.
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2004 Damon Challenger, 335F, 34ft, V10, Toad 2002 Chevy S-10 Crew Cab, 4wd, Leer topper, 179,000 miles
Past life, 1980 Trillium 4500 + crew, 1978 Trillium 1300 towed by 1993 Chevy S-10 Blazer.
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Old 08-16-2018, 06:37 PM   #2
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If you do a bit of research on the iRV2 forum, you'll find that the scariest part of your wonderfully underused RV is the fact that the tires are 14 years old. RV tires seldom wear out, they rot out or become dangerous after 7 years or so. A blow out in an RV can be dangerous and destructive. A shredded tire can do much damage to the fiberglass and surrounding systems even if you maintain control and stop. I suggest you set a priority to replace all 6 tires before going anywhere.
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Old 08-16-2018, 06:54 PM   #3
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I had the same problem a couple weeks ago in the mountains in West Virginia. 2006 My Damon Challenger V10 had the A/C compressor freeze up, which shredded the serpentine belt. Had to get towed 50 miles and wait a week for a replacement compressor. Mechanic found a replacement belt at CARQUEST auto parts (Dayco belt#5061110). Don't expect to have the same problem again. but going to carry a spare belt anyway. May run into a follow RV'er sitting on the side of the road someday?
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Old 08-19-2018, 07:40 AM   #4
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This topic got me thinking about my belt since it is 10 years old on my Daybreak. It looks to me like you have to remove the air conditioning condenser, trans cooler and radiator to get to it. I hope some one tells me I am wrong as there is no getting there from the dog house.
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Old 08-20-2018, 09:03 PM   #5
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The belt replacement.

On my 2004 Challenger, you have to access the tensioner by laying on the ground under the front when it has cooled down enough so you don't get burned by the hot engine. You can also get some access to fish the old belt out and put the new belt in from the space between the passenger side front tire and the left front leaf spring. You will only need a 1/2 inch breaker bar to fit in the tensioner at the pulley end to release the belt pressure. Then you remove the belt from the A/C compressor pulley first. When you are putting the new belt on you put it on the A/C pulley last.

You should print the picture, in my top post #1, of how the belt routing goes around the pulleys so you can get the new belt on with the proper routing. Take the picture when you get under it to see that the routing is the same. No other tools are need to replace the belt, just the 1/2 breaker bar to remove the pressure on the belt. Only remove the belt with your hands, Do not remove or loosen anything else. If you can raise the front of the MH by driving the front tires up on blocks 4 to 6 inches high to get the extra room you need to get under it. Do not trust the leveling jacks to raise it high enough to get under it. It is not safe to rely on the jacks.

Hope this is useful information for you. Play safe, work safe.
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2004 Damon Challenger, 335F, 34ft, V10, Toad 2002 Chevy S-10 Crew Cab, 4wd, Leer topper, 179,000 miles
Past life, 1980 Trillium 4500 + crew, 1978 Trillium 1300 towed by 1993 Chevy S-10 Blazer.
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Old 08-20-2018, 09:43 PM   #6
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try "rockauto.com", go 2 years lower or check the 2002 ford f53, there's a motorcraft belt #8620 and also cheaper. Good luck.
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Old 08-21-2018, 04:43 AM   #7
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Thanks Straykat. I have replaced many belts but this one had me baffled. Does not sound like a fun job but I think after 10 years a good idea to replace.
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Old 08-21-2018, 04:54 AM   #8
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Since its designed to last 90,000 miles, according to Ford, why wouldn't you just spend a few more $ and get the actual Ford belt ?

Put it on for the rest of the RVs life and carry the old one as a spare.

PS: I bought a low mileage, 14 year old, Ford E450 MH. Found that the dust boots on the brake calipers were rotted and open to air and water. That's a recipe for failing brakes. Take a close look at yours.
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