MountainMichael
Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2011
- Posts
- 408
- Reaction score
- 0
FOUND- Better alternative to small Whipple idler?
This should have its own tech thread since it could help solve a persistent problem for some of us... and should provide a much less expensive and possibly better idler for replacement of the Whipple kit small idler used on 2005-2009 Ford Mustang GT kits.
The Whipple idler on the kit slide bracket is 47.6mm in diameter with 6203 size double bearings. It is made of iron or steel. Mine had maybe 15 or 20 thousandths wobble in its machining so it kept shucking bearings OFTEN. 6 in 5000 miles.
~ Got squeaking and/or chirping you can't find? Sounds like it's from the tensioner but it isn't? That's EXACTLY what I had with this last pair of Whipple small idler bearings beginning failure.
The Metco idler is hard coat black anodized aluminum and is 50mm in diameter. It looks well made to me. It is wide enough for 8 rib and says so on the box. I can confirm that the Metco idler does use double 6203 size bearings and back spacing is almost identical to the Whipple idler so it's gonna be an easy fit.
Pics:
Picture of front of idler:
Picture of back of idler; this back spacing will NOT work for the 2nd small whipple idler used down on the timing cover.
^The back rim of the idler looks bad in the photo but not in person. I suspect it had some dust on it from the cardboard box. The NTN bearings feel about average for smoothness; not quite as smooth feeling as Nachi bearings but should be good.
Prices:
Metco idler: $80 plus shipping
Whipple idler: $150 to $153 plus shipping depending on where you find it
Obviously, if this will work for Whipple kits with 8 rib, it will also work for the standard 6 rib setup.
This should have its own tech thread since it could help solve a persistent problem for some of us... and should provide a much less expensive and possibly better idler for replacement of the Whipple kit small idler used on 2005-2009 Ford Mustang GT kits.
The Whipple idler on the kit slide bracket is 47.6mm in diameter with 6203 size double bearings. It is made of iron or steel. Mine had maybe 15 or 20 thousandths wobble in its machining so it kept shucking bearings OFTEN. 6 in 5000 miles.
~ Got squeaking and/or chirping you can't find? Sounds like it's from the tensioner but it isn't? That's EXACTLY what I had with this last pair of Whipple small idler bearings beginning failure.
The Metco idler is hard coat black anodized aluminum and is 50mm in diameter. It looks well made to me. It is wide enough for 8 rib and says so on the box. I can confirm that the Metco idler does use double 6203 size bearings and back spacing is almost identical to the Whipple idler so it's gonna be an easy fit.
Pics:
Picture of front of idler:
Picture of back of idler; this back spacing will NOT work for the 2nd small whipple idler used down on the timing cover.
^The back rim of the idler looks bad in the photo but not in person. I suspect it had some dust on it from the cardboard box. The NTN bearings feel about average for smoothness; not quite as smooth feeling as Nachi bearings but should be good.
Prices:
Metco idler: $80 plus shipping
Whipple idler: $150 to $153 plus shipping depending on where you find it
Obviously, if this will work for Whipple kits with 8 rib, it will also work for the standard 6 rib setup.
Last edited:
