Gates 38138 Accessory Drive Belt Tensioner Assembly - Smooth Pulley

Gates DriveAlign OE Belt Tensioner for Ford Trucks

The Gates DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioner, part number 38138, is built for accessory drive systems that use a V-ribbed belt and a smooth backside pulley contact surface. It is an OE Exact replacement for select Ford F-150 and E-Series applications, with fit, form, and function aligned to original equipment requirements.

Key Features

• OE Exact automatic belt tensioner assembly for accessory drive belt systems
• Thermoplastic construction for consistent performance in engine-bay conditions
• Single smooth/backside pulley with no flange
• V-ribbed belt application
• OE-style dimensions: 3.54 in. outside diameter, 1 in. width, 17 mm bearing bore
• Designed to match original mounting and operating specifications

Product Details

Gates draws on original equipment system design experience to produce the DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioner line. This tensioner is manufactured to rigid tolerances so it matches the original belt routing and tension control requirements on Ford F-150, Ford F-150 Heritage, Ford E-150, Ford E-150 Econoline, Ford E-150 Econoline Club Wagon, Ford E-250 Econoline, Ford E-250, Ford Econoline, and Ford Econoline Club Wagon applications listed below. Part number 38138 is a direct-fit style replacement for vehicles that use a smooth pulley tensioner in the accessory drive belt system.

This part cross-references Continental 49232 and Dayco 89260 for the same application.

Vehicle Fitment

• Fits 1997-2008 Ford F-150, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 2004 Ford F-150 Heritage, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 2002-2003 Ford E-150, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 2003 Ford E-150 Club Wagon, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 2003 Ford E-250, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 2003 Ford Econoline, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 1999-2001 Ford Econoline, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 1997-2002 Ford E-150 Econoline, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 1997-2002 Ford E-150 Econoline Club Wagon, Smooth Pulley
• Fits 1997-2002 Ford E-250 Econoline, Smooth Pulley

Common Issues This Part Addresses

• Weak or inconsistent belt tension on the accessory drive system
• Belt noise caused by a worn tensioner pulley or bearing
• Belt tracking problems on V-ribbed belt setups
• Reduced belt control from a fatigued automatic tensioner
• Fitment issues when replacing an OE-style smooth pulley tensioner

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify belt routing and confirm the pulley style before installation. Inspect the accessory belt, idler pulleys, and adjacent drive components for wear while the tensioner is removed. For Ford F-150 and Ford E-Series applications, confirm the engine configuration and existing tensioner design against the vehicle listing before ordering part number 38138.

Quality Assurance

Gates states that DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioners are manufactured to rigid tolerances and specifications to deliver OE fit, form, and function. The OE Exact rating supports direct replacement selection for the listed Ford applications.