Fan belt or serpent belt, '99 Ford V-10

[Ragman]

I have a 1999 Ford with a 6.8 litre V-10. I was going to replace the serpent belt. Went to Auto Zone; they didn't have one; then to O'Reilly's Auto Supply and they listed two. One, as I recall was something about it being 'naked.' The other was a Gates KO81000. Another (smaller) number on the package is 8PK2542 may be an old number. They sold me the Gates KO81000 and said they did not stock the other. The other one is about an inch longer.

I called Ford's motor home 800 # and they were not able to give me a belt size or number.

Thanks for any help you all might be able to give me.

[Ragman]

I have a 1999 Ford with a 6.8 litre V-10. I was going to replace the serpent belt. Went to Auto Zone; they didn't have one; then to O'Reilly's Auto Supply and they listed two. One, as I recall was something about it being 'naked.' The other was a Gates KO81000. Another (smaller) number on the package is 8PK2542 may be an old number. They sold me the Gates KO81000 and said they did not stock the other. The other one is about an inch longer.

I called Ford's motor home 800 # and they were not able to give me a belt size or number.

Thanks for any help you all might be able to give me.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Belt sizes in Rvs is kind of a crap shoot - you cannot assume that the belt used with the same engine in a pick-up truck or car will be the right one for a Class A motorhome. Placement of a/c compressor, alternator, etc. is usually different when the engine is used in a motorhome chassis. Class C and Class B rigs may have a better chance, since they are usually built on van or pick-up chassis and may be configured the same.

Your best bet by far is to remove the belt and take it to the store, where they can match the size. Most any NAPA store can easily do this, but it can be iffy if you try a something like Autozone, where only a few of the clerks are actually mechanically oriented.

[Ragman]

Thanks, Gary,
But if I take that thing off and am gone for 45 minutes and come back and try to figure out how to put it back on, well.....I just don't know. That sucker runs everywhere and you can't see much of it from below. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

Guess I could take a bunch of digital pics of it and see if I can reinstall it when I find a new belt. I was really hoping someone might have the belt size. Thanks again.
Larry

[PbdBlue]

I have a 99 Winnebago Adventurer on the Ford Chassis. I went through this same problem. None of the aftermarket belts fit. I finally ordered a new one from Ford (~$50). I can't read the part number on my old belt anymore (I still have as a spare) but the part number on the box for the new belt is JK 81107. It also has another number below it which is F81Z-8620-DA. Check with the dealer. This belt fit perfectly.

[KIX]

Larry,
Some vehicles had a graphic on the fan shroud that showed the belt routing. If you don't already have that then make a drawing yourself of the serpentine belt routing. Be sure you are accurate as not reinstalling correctly may run an accessory backwards.

[DonavonP]

Gates has an interchange function at their website. Interchange

I put in JK 81107 and came up with Napa # 25-081102 - If you have a Carquest or whatever closer to you, you can get their part number too. Napa seems to keep the numbers game simple by preceding Gates number with a 25

[Ned]

Make your own diagram of the belt location for each pulley, if there isn't a diagram in the general area of your fan. Do this before you take the old one off, make sure you double check your drawing for accurate routing of the new belt. Seems like I remember seeing the belt diagram in my Ford MH owners manual too.

The '99 V-10 MH chassis had a TSB that changed the belt, pulley and tensioner. Make sure you get the right one - I suggest a Ford dealer.