5.0 Explorer front serp setup

[mattt]

Will this serp conversion work on a 351W or will it only work on a 302? How many and what brackets/parts/pieces do I need to grab from the Explorer for the "complete setup?"
I'm planning to install a 94 351 Lightning in an EB and I don't know if the front accessories on the Lightning are too long to fit in an EB without hitting the radiator. It would be nice to have the clutch fan if possible. I'll know when I go to drop the engine in, but it's still on the engine stand and I'd like to have this figured out before the initial drop in.

There are 2 complete '96 5.0 Explorers at the local pick your part so I'm thinking of harvesting some parts from them. Is there anything else worth grabbing from them? Anyone need 5.0 Explorer parts?

 

[Delta4WheelDrive]

Matt, here is a link to what you want to do. If the posting isn't complete enough for you, PM Silverhorse over at nor cal broncos and he can answer your Q's. Good luck. (you will need to join NCB to see the pics, sorry.)

http://www.norcalbroncos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1150

 

[mattt]

Thanks for the link. Looks like lots of work to make it happen. I might just wait and see if the Lightning serp setup will work in the EB. Unfortunately, seems like no one has tried or made the Lightning serp setup work, understandable since complete Lightning engines aren't a dime a dozen.

 

[mountainview68]

Get the explorer setup. It is SO much better than aything out there. Your cooling problems will be a thing of the past!! I have mine on a 5.8 Block stroked to 427 and works great

 

[SC74]

I just installed an explorer serp set-up. I haven't used it since the rig is in process of being put back together, but I really like the design. Most of the parts can be found at the parts store, but the main things you need to pull are the right and left side brackets - 3 or 4 bolts each and they are off. The more you can grab the better and don't forget to get the bolts if you take it off since they are a PITA to find later (even the little things like the AC bolts, etc.). You'll need to get the front timing cover and crank pulley too, which the boneyard may not let you get if they are going to sell the motor. If they have a core motor you can get it off of it though. If nothing else, you can buy the timing cover new, not sure about the crank pulley.

Good Luck and let's see some pics of what you get!

 

[DirtDonk]

Did the '96 Exploders still have the desireable setup? I forget when that started.

Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

The '96 was the first year. But you must find the 5.0 V8 brackets. The 4.0 V6 are pointless for this, completely different engine.

http://www.classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111234
has some part numbers and pricing I did not too long ago

 

[mattt]

I started to pull the Explorer bracketry off yesterday. Thinking about going back today to finish. What is this stuff worth on the market? I'm thinking of using it, but if I don't I'd rather not pay too much for it and then be stuck with it. Pricing on this type of stuff from the junkyard is very subjective, so I'm not sure what they will charge. Is it just the brackets that I should get, or do I need the Explorer specific Alternator, PS pump, etc too?

 

[Broncobowsher]

The alternator is Explorer specific.
The power steering pump is not, but might as well get it as they are not that common.
A/C compressor I have heard of others that fit, but my collection of late model A/C compressors are all a no go except for the Explorer pump.
The fan and clutch are unique to the Explorer, but an easy find it to get a fan and clutch assambly from a 4.0 pushrod V6 Explorer. The combined fan/clutch are a replacment, but not seperate pieces.

 

[thegreatjustino]

What is this stuff worth on the market?

I've seen complete Explorer 5.0 serp setups go for $500. This included all brackets, hardware, belts, fan, clutch, PS pump & reservoir, alternator, timing chain cover, etc. Basically the whole front dress.

 

[toddz69]

I started to pull the Explorer bracketry off yesterday. Thinking about going back today to finish. What is this stuff worth on the market? I'm thinking of using it, but if I don't I'd rather not pay too much for it and then be stuck with it. Pricing on this type of stuff from the junkyard is very subjective, so I'm not sure what they will charge. Is it just the brackets that I should get, or do I need the Explorer specific Alternator, PS pump, etc too?

To give you an idea of pricing, the last two setups I've pulled in the past year were about $115 and $150 ea. I think we ditched the water pumps (want them new anyway). And I may have missed another part or two on each. At this point, I'm thinking anything under $200 is pretty fair as long as you get everything you want. Found another one last week and might try and pull it soon if I can find some time on the weekends to do it.

Todd Z.

 

[mattt]

That setup is really shoe-horned into the Exploder. I've got the scraped/banged up hands to prove it. I did some measuring on the Lightning motor yesterday, and it looks like I wont be able to use the factory Lightning front dress, it's about 1" too long to comfortably clear the radiator. Too bad since it has all the accessories. It looks like the Exploder front dress is roughly 1.5"-2" shorter than the Lightning front dress package. Back to the yard I go to pull off the rest of the Exploder stuff.

So, what I need from the Exploder is......?
Pass side bracket with alt, tensioner, & idler
Drivers side bracket with PS pump, AC comp, & idler
Timing chain cover
Balancer
Fan, clutch and water pump pulley

Anything else I forgot?

I think I'm going to leave the water pump, and there is no core charge for a new one. But damn, that is an expensive water pump....roughly $85 at Kragen or Vatozone.

 

[Broncobowsher]

If you leave the waterpump, be sure to get the pulley.
All the bolts
Cut the wires to the alternator, don't unplug them. You will need the plug.
Whatever you take off to get to the timing chain cover, try and keep.

 

[mattt]

Will do on the pulley. I've got all the bolts set aside already. How about the plug for the AC compressor? Probably need that one too. What about the mount block on the back of the AC comp that the lines are part of? Im not sure I could reuse that block since the hard lines would be broken off. Im probably going to install AC at some point in the future so that is my concern with the AC hose/piping mount.

Other than the parts I listed out and they things that Broncobowsher mentioned, is there anything else I need?

Does it really take a special puller to get the balancer off, or will some sort of std. puller work? I haven't been able to look at the balancer yet since I havent taken the radiator out yet. Hoping to get back there tomorrow to finish up.

If I had the motivation to grab a complete engine, I could probably end up better as they are selling complete engines for $160 this holiday weekend. This explorer is a 96, it has the 3 bar GT40 heads, not the GTP's, the GT40 intake and everything else on the motor.

 

[toddz69]

Will do on the pulley. I've got all the bolts set aside already. How about the plug for the AC compressor? Probably need that one too. What about the mount block on the back of the AC comp that the lines are part of? Im not sure I could reuse that block since the hard lines would be broken off. Im probably going to install AC at some point in the future so that is my concern with the AC hose/piping mount.

Other than the parts I listed out and they things that Broncobowsher mentioned, is there anything else I need?

Does it really take a special puller to get the balancer off, or will some sort of std. puller work? I haven't been able to look at the balancer yet since I havent taken the radiator out yet. Hoping to get back there tomorrow to finish up.

If I had the motivation to grab a complete engine, I could probably end up better as they are selling complete engines for $160 this holiday weekend. This explorer is a 96, it has the 3 bar GT40 heads, not the GTP's, the GT40 intake and everything else on the motor.

You've probably already been to the yard, but don't forget the p/s reservoir if it's in good shape. The puller is one of those that threads 3 bolts into the balancer and then uses a threaded piece in the center that pushes against the center of the crank as the other three bolts pull the balancer off. Can't think of the proper term for it at the moment.

Todd Z.

 

[mattt]

I went back and finished up pulling the Exp. serp setup today. I re-read the other thread that Broncobowsher posted. I thought it said a special(read expensive) puller was needed, however now I read the $77 part is a new harmonic balancer. The std. Y shape balancer puller worked just fine.

I ended up with both side brackets, Alternator, tensioner, idler, PS pump and reservoir, AC compressor, idler, fan w/ clutch & pulley, waterpump(since I couldnt get the fan/clutch off the water pump), timing chain cover, harmonic balancer, & all the hardware to hold it all together. I think that is everything to do the swap...hopefully so as I am junkyard'd out. Had enough junkyard'n this weekend to hold me over for a while. Time to get it all cleaned up and installed on the new motor.

 

[SC74]

Depending on how much you paid for all of that, I'd say that you were very successful. It's hard to find all of that, and if you do hard to get the junkyard to sell some of the motor parts. If you don't mind telling, how much did you pay? Around here, that entire set-up would probably sell for in the $300 and up range at the junkyard. It would go for a lot more in the classified section on this site though!

 

[mattt]

I'm in on the setup for about $150. I bought other stuff so I haven't broken it all down on the receipt.

 

[mattt]

I just learned a lesson that will cost me some coin. When pulling the Exp. front serp setup.....start with the two outer water pump bolts.
If they are frozen/rusted, they will most likely break....no big deal on it's own. However, if they are frozen/rusted GOOD, they will most likely make it impossible to remove the front timing cover without destroying it!!
I just "removed" an Explorer timing cover....with a little less than all of it's original aluminum.

There was soooo much rust crap between those rusted/broken bolts & the timing cover, that it wouldn't let the timing cover release. I've pulled two and on this one, both bolts broke. On the other, only one bolt broke. The one with one bad bolt released the cover easily. So, I'm now short an Exp. timing cover.

I'm sure another will turn up soon. Is it true that a 94/95 Mustang has the same timing cover?

 

[toddz69]

I just learned a lesson that will cost me some coin. When pulling the Exp. front serp setup.....start with the two outer water pump bolts.
If they are frozen/rusted, they will most likely break....no big deal on it's own. However, if they are frozen/rusted GOOD, they will most likely make it impossible to remove the front timing cover without destroying it!!
I just "removed" an Explorer timing cover....with a little less than all of it's original aluminum.

There was soooo much rust crap between those rusted/broken bolts & the timing cover, that it wouldn't let the timing cover release. I've pulled two and on this one, both bolts broke. On the other, only one bolt broke. The one with one bad bolt released the cover easily. So, I'm now short an Exp. timing cover.

I'm sure another will turn up soon. Is it true that a 94/95 Mustang has the same timing cover?

We had problems with one of those bolts in the setup we pulled this morning too. Seems to be a common problem with those bolts in all small block Fords.

Todd Z.