serpentine belt

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Dec 18, 2003 | 05:20 PM

james northen

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 50

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From: Beaumony, texas

serpentine belt

Does anybody know if the early 302 engine can be converted over to the serpentine belt of the newer 302's. Does the early 302 block have the correct bolt holes to mount the newer brackets. My 65 has the early 302 engine in it.

THANKS
James

Dec 18, 2003 | 05:37 PM

BobbyFord

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Joined: Jun 2003

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Everything should fit, bolt up. Be aware that the serp. type water pump spins in the opposite direction than the v-belt type.

Dec 18, 2003 | 05:38 PM

bobcatv8

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Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 251

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From: Ocala, FL

You could convert an earlier 302 to the 1 belt "serpentine" set up but bear in mind the serp set up runs the water pump backwards from the multi belt systems. Also don't confuse a flat belt with a serpentine set up either. You can have a flat belt that is not run in a 1 belt serpentine way. This confuses a lot of people. I have a flat belt on my 351W in my '66 F100 that is not serpentine, the water pump runs the "old" way. It came from an early 80's cop Crown Vic with a 351W. The "old" 302s have the same holes as the later 302s but some of the bolt holes are different threads. The head hole is bigger on late 302s. If you were to score a whole donor car with all the bracketry intact you might be able to make it work. You would have to use the later model style P/S pump and A/C compressor too. Also if you have an "old" style 3 bolt crank damper that would have to be changed too, possible balance problems there.
The 1 belt serpentine system is a slick set up but it may take some effort and time to retro-fit it. Good Luck!!

Dec 18, 2003 | 05:51 PM