What is Cold Weather Option on F350?

I went to Autozone to get a new serpentine belt for my F350 and was asked if mine had the cold weather option and I had no idea  what he was talking about and he didn't know either. The belt with the option is 121.65" long and without is 122.91". Anybody have something on this?

Forgot to add, but mine does have the block heater. I don't see how that would affect belt length.

I guess my only option is to go ahead and take the belt off and measure it.

maybe he ment a heater? LOL some of those kids they hire for those positions are brain dead...

I looked it up myself, O'Reilly, Advance, and Autozone and all show the same thing.

Three options.
Dual Alternators-137.32"
With Cold Weather Option-121.65"
Without Cold Weather Option-122.91"

Something about 2 alternators?

cool40 wrote:Something about 2 alternators?

Ambulance Package.

I have always wanted the top water hose for the duel alts so if you ever break a belt you won't have to drain the coolant...

dfree383 wrote:Might be a different ratio on one of the pulleys?

I was thinking the same thing and it appears that an OEM is available with different size alternator pulleys. Weren't some Powerstroke's available with an air intake heater, heated seats, etc.?

The "cold weather option" used to be getting an adjustable heat arrangement for the rear seat but, i have no clue as to why that would affect the fan belt length.

Can't be a different water pump pulley. The cold weather deal gets the shorter belt which means the water pump would be driven faster with a smaller pulley...seems backward for cold weather to me. My F450 had the factory block heater and nobody mentioned the cold weather deal when I bought a belt.

We do have a rather famous (or infamous) Ford dealer and a Ford diesel tech on this forum. Maybe one of them will fill us in.

maverick wrote:Can't be a different water pump pulley.  The cold weather deal gets the shorter belt which means the water pump would be driven faster with a smaller pulley...seems backward for cold weather to me.  My F450 had the factory block heater and nobody mentioned the cold weather deal when I bought a belt.

We do have a rather famous (or infamous) Ford dealer and a Ford diesel tech on this forum.  Maybe one of them will fill us in.

that famous ford dealer studies gas burners not smokers and if I'm thinking of the same wrench turner you are.......well he mostly scratches headlights.

Doug Rahn wrote:I looked it up myself, O'Reilly, Advance, and Autozone and all show the same thing.

Three options.
Dual Alternators-137.32"
With Cold Weather Option-121.65"
Without Cold Weather Option-122.91"

Send me the ser. # of the truck.

Doug Rahn wrote:

dfree383 wrote:Might be a different ratio on one of the pulleys?

I was thinking the same thing and it appears that an OEM is available with different size alternator pulleys. Weren't some Powerstroke's available with an air intake heater, heated seats, etc.?

That's it, I bet....A smaller alternator pulley would spin the alternator faster, especially helpful with extended warmups and idling in cold weather...extra electrical loads, etc.. That would take a shorter belt, yes?

ask adam hes bona-fide

maverick wrote:

Doug Rahn wrote:

dfree383 wrote:Might be a different ratio on one of the pulleys?

I was thinking the same thing and it appears that an OEM is available with different size alternator pulleys. Weren't some Powerstroke's available with an air intake heater, heated seats, etc.?

That's it, I bet....A smaller alternator pulley would spin the alternator faster, especially helpful with extended warmups and idling in cold weather...extra electrical loads, etc..  That would take a shorter belt, yes?

^^ That would be my guess. Speed up the alt. at low speed.