Replacement alternator question

[fiestafather]

Hi, looking for some guidance. My son has a 2015 Fiesta ST 1.6L and needs a new alternator. I’m doing the work and hopefully teaching him a thing or two while doing it. The old alternator has a Litens decoupler pulley. I’m replacing alternator, pulley, belt, tensioner, & idler pulley.

Everything I’ve read says basically if you have a decoupler pulley, then the replacement should be a decoupler. But no matter where I seem to look, Rock Auto, AutoZone, etc, they don’t really specify if they have a decoupler pulley.

Some look like they do (clearly have a dust cap like the old one) but description says clutch pulley. So I’m assuming they are OAP vs OAD.

Does it really matter if it’s a clutch pulley vs a Litens decoupler? I realize the latter has the spring as well as the clutch so I know they aren’t the same thing but not sure if it matters.
Appreciate any info and guidance on this to make sure I get the right part without spending $450 for one from Ford.

thanks

 

[SteveS]

When I look at Rockauto they sell a Motorcraft alternator, among some other brands. They sell a Continental OAD pulley, a Gates Decoupler pulley, a Litens OEM pulley, and one that is out of stock.

 

[fiestafather]

When I look at Rockauto they sell a Motorcraft alternator, among some other brands. They sell a Continental OAD pulley, a Gates Decoupler pulley, a Litens OEM pulley, and one that is out of stock.

I did see that. So my question then is if the correct thing to do is get whichever alternator and buy the decoupler pulley and swap it out? Or does it really matter if it’s just a clutch pulley instead of a decoupler?

 

[SteveS]

The Motorcraft alternator with decoupler pulley is sold only as a unit. So you get the decoupler pulley when you buy the alternator, and it's already assembled. Putting the pulley on the alternator requires a special tool. But they sell the pulleys separately in case you need to replace only the pulley. The one Rockauto is selling is the same part number as the one at Ford. But Rockauto is charging $232 plus shipping or so and the one from parts.ford.com, picked up at my local dealer, is $400.