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Hi, I need a little advice on my front serpentine belt set up on my 54 Ford pick up. I currently have an 85 block which is a 5.0 block but it has the earlier 80's serpentine belt set up and a standard rotation water pump. I've here I can go to 97-2001 5.0 out of a Mercury mountaineer or a ford serpentine which shortens up the length of the front pulleys giving me more room up front.
My problem occurred when I removed my AOD and installed a T-5 which leaned the motor closer to my electric fan. [to close] I had to bolt the trans cross member under the frame rails instead of on top where it was before. I found the Bronco swap on the internet but was wondering if anyone has put this set up in a 53-56 ford and if there was any other problems I might run into. any help would be appreciated.
I put a 1994 serpentine setup on my 85 302 block. Works a trick. You will have to replace your timing cover and get the reverse flow water pump, alternator, etc.
The water pumps dont just pump in different directions the water jackets/ports are shaped differently so it will leak like a sieve if not correct.
Another issue is if you are running the stock mechanical fuel pump. The timing cover that you will need to run for one of the newer serpentine systems will not have a place for that fuel pump to go so you will have to install an electric pump and inertia switch. I put in an inline fuel pump which was fairly easy to do and robbed an inertia switch from a crown vic in the junk yard.
Just a thought, but does your truck have multiple sets of holes in the front cross member to position the radiator farther forward (originally for 6 cyl engines). I used the front set of 6 cyl holes on my 48 with a big Extreme electric fan that covers the entire radiator, and run a 302 with serpentine setup and T5 transmission.
I'm a little confused. Was your engine already mounted? If so, I fail to see how changing the transmission moved your engine mounts forward...I can certainly understand you having to change your trans mount, but the engine mounts should be unchanged.
Ernie, when I put the T-5 in I used the same cross and mount as I had on the AOD. The back of the T-5 sits about an inch and a half higher on the rear mount which tilted the back of the trans and the front of the engine about a half inch closer to my fan. It didn't effect the engine mounts it just tilted it forward enough to be touching my fan bearing. Relocating the radiator is probably easier but I would like to shorten the front serpentine overhang anyway to make it look better.
I would think building a new transmission crossmember would solve all your problems and set your pinion angle back you where is was with the AOD, which is what you want. With just a few measurements any metal shop could weld one up pretty cheep. ultimately the fan should be parallel to the radiator and the intake / carburetor mounting area should be level. Shimming the spring perches to correct that degree amount would not be my first option.
I'm having amnesia...I recall the AOD & T5 to be "plug and play" in the Fox Mustangs (79-93)...but it's been a long time...perhaps the crossmembers got swapped too.
I understand now what you're dealing with and the big concern is addressed above - pinion angle must match the transmission angle or you'll have vibrations and/or eat up U-joints...
I had a new driveline built by my driveline shop who I've used for several years and I had them check the angles and they said they were fine.
Ernie, read the same thing on plug and play as you an install was great and I did use the same cross member. The pump pulley was way too close to the electric fan to begin with. It was the main reason for the serpentine upgrade besides looking a lot better. bill
Got it - sounds like maybe your T5 mount was squished or old and the AOD mount is new and tall. A little tilt back there could tip the motor a bit up front.
I didn't realize the '85 serpentine didn't turn the pump backwards...I thought all the serpentine 302/5.0 systems turned the pump backwards...necessitating a reverse rotation fan too. The serpentine system I adapted to my 351W is from an '83 Mustang...I'll have to look closer, but I would've sworn it turned backwards. It's not conveniently near me at the moment...and who knows, maybe I installed the belt backwards to make it "turn the way I thought it should"...
AND that would make it easier to install an earlier front cover with provisions for a mechanical fuel pump if so.
EDIT: Just did a quick search and found this on latemodelrestoration.com:
This would imply that they all turn backwards. So, if someone has info on '85 and earlier turning the correct rotation, then perhaps it's some model other than a Mustang...details appreciated.
I need to do some checking but I know early 80's Fords with ribbed belts turned the water pump the standard rotation. I just sourced those said pulleys and brackets from an 84 Crown Vic for my A/C install, and if I'm correct mustangs of that era were the same. The set up I just got is a 2 belt ( Ribbed )( 5 groove ) set up.
I was told that pickup trucks from the same era all turned the pump backwards, but cars were standard. I remember reading somewhere that what is considered a true serpentine system turns the pump backwards and a ribbed belt set up turns the pump the standard way, but people tend to refer to them as serpentine also do to the belt style.
There appears to be at least two belts in that picture. The Mustangs, at least as early as '83 (that's what I'm using on my 351) and judging by the diagram on latemodelrestoration.com, all the way to '79), ued a true single belt serpentine, so the pump is a reverse rotation...perhaps it was model specific.
I can see why going to a true serpentine system would gain you some clearance over that system...and yes, I don't think that qualifies as a serpentine system, just a ribbed belt system.
Rdemilt, Ok this looks more like what I have. I do not have AC or smog pump but I do have the pulley on the balancer for them. I had Bobs F 100 in Pomona Cal, install the motor for me so they probably just deleted the A/C and smog pump. I am so glad I am not crazy. I've decided to use the Explorer or mountaineer 96-2001 serpentine system. I will buy the new reverse flow pump and use the mountaineer clutch fan if I have the room. Thanks guy's
Rdemilt, Ok this looks more like what I have. I do not have AC or smog pump but I do have the pulley on the balancer for them. I had Bobs F 100 in Pomona Cal, install the motor for me so they probably just deleted the A/C and smog pump. I am so glad I am not crazy. I've decided to use the Explorer or mountaineer 96-2001 serpentine system. I will buy the new reverse flow pump and use the mountaineer clutch fan if I have the room. Thanks guy's
Bill
Sounds good - make sure your change the timing chain cover to the one that matches the reverse pump or you will have heat issues.
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