351W serpentine belt conversion and fuel intake

[stretchstick]

I currently have a 351W in the shop and was wondering if anyone has done a serpentine conversion. I have heard good things about them(but only from the people who sell them, not from anyone who has actually done the conversion). Does it really help the cooling, and idle better? Also, what do you guys think of the Holley Truck Avenger carbs? As good as TBI or not? I am having flat top pistons installed, rollers, RV cam, balanced, ported and polished. They told me the engine is from a 69-76 truck. Plan to have engine done in a month so I gots lots of decisions to make! I am very new at the engine building thing so any help is awesome! Thanx!!

 

[Broncobowsher]

There are several different serpentine conversions possible.
Mustang
Truck
twin belt
T-bird
Late Mustang (94-95) possibly the same as T-bird
Explorer
Maybe some more that I am not thinking of right now.

Explorer is probably what you are thining of, it is the shortest and has room for a nice clutched fan.
Late mustang and Explorer require a matching timing chain cover that has no provision for a fuel pump. Also require special harmonic balancer that is short enough but only comes in the late 5.0 balance (at least from the factory).

Which serpintine system were you thinking about running?

 

[stretchstick]

Serpentine

I had seen one in petersons 4wheel a while back, it was an aftermarket
set-up, I don't remember the company. I get most of my engine part from performance automotive warehouse (PAW), figured they might carry something. I did not know I could convert a newer engines system to something as old as my block (69-76), but that would be alot cheaper!
I guess the Explorer would be the best system.

 

[chuck]

I like the older Mustang S-belt conversion, also sell it. You can look at the kit I sell and down load the picture ansd take that with you to the bone yard. I think 87-93 mustang GTs are a good doner. As for cooling I think the only diff is the smaller water pump pulley makes the fan and waterpump turn faster. And the fan with the clutch has more and deeper blades. I have not noticed any diff in the idle.
Now, about those flat top pistons, what compression ratio are you talking about? If the compression is too high you will have to run special fuel to keep it from pinging.

 

[stretchstick]

Flat top pistons

I have talked with the machine shop and with the porting of the heads I will be at about 9.5:1 compression. He told me I would be able to run mid-grade. I can justify mid-grade for the added performance.

 

[chuck]

I think he is right. I built a stock compression 70 mustang 351w back to stock 10.9 to 1 compression and it would ping at idle. The racer we built 10.7:1 and it does not ping, not that it idles much but I think that is from the alum. trick flow heads.