Originally Posted by
FordNut
Alrighty, here is where we are agreeing and disagreeing:
We all agree that the clutched alternator was deleted at some point, whether it was during production or on replacement units is irrelevant because the clutch is not important. If there is a black cover on the pulley, it has the one-way clutch.
Mac, we disagree about how the alternator is turned off with programming. The alternator can be turned off at WOT with the PCM but it has nothing to do with the clutch. The PCM turns off the alternator by way of the regulator. The only purpose of the mechanical one-way clutch is to reduce belt noise by allowing the alternator to freewheel on engine deceleration.
Mac, I disagree with your comment that "worse hazards" such as a blown engine could occur if the clutch is removed, both because of the fact it is not used at all on the Trilogy cars and because my car has not had the clutch for approximately 40 k miles. It was removed when I installed the 8-rib pulley system. After the clutch was removed, my program still turned off the alternator at WOT until I had that feature changed with the supercharger installation.
Hope this clears it up a bit.
FORDNUT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.....I don't know why this misconception of the one way clutch's function continues to persist. We've talked about this in at least a half dozen threads.
The clutch's ONLY purpose is to allow the alternator to 'freewheel' during high rpm upshifts and thus eliminate belt chirping and squealing.
It is kinda like a bicycle's rear hub which can drive the rear tire when pedaled one direction, but cannot drive the rear tire when pedaled the opposite direction.
The clutch CANNOT be 'turned on and off' at WOT. It IS NOT an electromechanical clutch (like your AC compressor has).
The alternator's charging function CAN be shut off, by the PCM, at WOT.
BTW: As has already been stated in previous posts, the Trilogy S/C kit eliminates the clutched alternator because the S/C kit mounts the alternator 'backwards'.
Using a clutched alternator backwards will get you dead battery in a hurry.
2020 Ford Ranger STX DFI Turbo 2.3L 10 speed Auto
2017 Ford Fusion Sport DFI Twin Turbo 2.7L V6 6 speed Auto (14.000 ET bone stock in 82 degree heat)
1985 Mustang GT 5.0 Hatchback 4bbl 5 speed manual (525 HP 363 Dart block/AFR heads with Magnum 6 speed in the works)
1984 Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo Convertible FI. 5 speed manual
1966 427 Cobra (ERA) 468 all Aluminum FE 2x4bbl 5 speed manual
SOLD : 2003 Mercury Marauder FI. 4 speed Auto
w/Crower Cams & Springs, +1mm SS valves, mild port job on the cylinder heads.
Extrude honed intake w/PHP spacer.
Kooks Headers w/2.5" High Flow Cats & X-Pipe, Magnaflow mufflers, OEM tailpipes w/Megs Tips
B&M Trans cooler w/fan, Level 10 Shift Kit, Art Carr Hughes Deep Sump Trans Pan,
SVO Rearend Girdle, Redline Gear lube; OEM 3.55s
'Real Gauges' + matching Trans Temp, Oil Temp, Water Temp, Fuel Pressure, Vacuum/Boost Gauge
Built: 10/15/02 Bought: 12/16/02 Sold: 10/15/18