Explorer bracket clearance on 351W

[Z Bronco]

All broncos are different is the truth.

I am installing an Explorer serpentine on my 351W and ran into the passenger side bracket wanting to rest on the small brace that attaches to the frame crossmember. I can reposition the bracket a bit by loosening the mounting bolts. When I do this I have 1/2" clearance for the front of the idler pulley, 3/16" on the back of the pulley, and the bracket clears, but not by much. How much room should the bracket have in clearance? I am trying not to mess with the motor mounts (clearance issues on the the top side), so I am thinking of notching the bracket (wear the blue tape is). Also, would the smaller idler pulley be recommended? These ideas came from using the search function.

Thanks.

 

[73azbronco]

try loosening the motor mounts and rotating the engine a little. How old are your mounts?

 

[Z Bronco]

Mounts were new when I rebuilt the engine, which has been awhile (1990).

 

[Boss Hugg]

just to be clear. 1990 was 27 years ago. Are you sure they even have rubber left on them? ;D

For real, though. I'm sure they've collapsed some over that 27 years. But try to get one side to slide down while the other side comes up and maybe that'll get you the clearance you need.

I don't think you would be wrong in clearancing the lower end of the bracket if needed.

And I really am confused because I thought the 351 would raise that bracket up over the crossmember a lot more. My 5.0 has the pulley sitting in about the same spot.

 

[hankjr]

j

And I really am confused because I thought the 351 would raise that bracket up over the crossmember a lot more. My 5.0 has the pulley sitting in about the same spot.

^^ im thinking the same thing. i have dry fit my bracket onto my 351W with brand new stock motor mounts and had what i thought to be plenty of clearance. to be fair, i dont think i looked closely at the back side of the bracket.

the taped area is not load bearing, so if it were me, i would clearance it and move along.

Hank

 

[lonesouth]

I've seen others trim the bracket. I don't have any issues on mine.

 

[73azbronco]

Are you seriously saying they were new in 1990? I was new in 1960 Put new mounts on as well, cheap fix and easy since your loosening up half the same bolts to shift it.

I use extreme motor mounts and have just over an inch of clearance from the lower pulley to crossmember.

A 351 centerline is pretty close to where a 302 based block centerline is, the size occurs above the block, between the valleys, and the heads, and lower down in the oil pan.

 

[Crush]

yes but the explorer front dress mounts to the heads so with the taller deck height you get a litle more clearance, which is myself and others are perplexed. as mentioned try rotating the engine a bit and new mounts. i would bet if you put a level on the intake or across the valve covers that it would be off level

 

[Z Bronco]

I was perplexed as well when I saw that the clearance is this tight for a 351W. I am going to crawl underneath later today and check the condition of the motor mounts and see if the engine is rotated in any way. I will also put a level on it as I am curious. Will keep you posted. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[Broncobowsher]

Do you have the transmission installed (correctly)? The engine may be tipped too far forward.

 

[ScanmanSteven]

Hey Adam, 27 Bronco years isn’t really that long, more like months. Got a good laugh out of your post.

 

[Boss Hugg]

Hey Adam, 27 Bronco years isn’t really that long, more like months. Got a good laugh out of your post.

...because they're built Ford tough, right??

 

[Z Bronco]

Well, after checking the motor mounts here is what I found. The motor mounts are even, no rotation. However, the rubber is starting to come apart in spots on the passenger side motor mount, so time to order some new motor mounts. More information: The transmission is installed correctly, there are poly transfer case mounts, and the level even showed balance. Hmmm, it might be that I am unbalanced.......... Now to decide on which motor mounts to get. Still learning after all these years.

 

[73azbronco]

Consider if you have poly and not rubber tranny mounts, your motor will tilt down in front as the aft end is raised more. Might consider extreme mounts to raise motor, or, thick grade 8 washer as shim as required under the mounts to raise motor. For every 1/16th shim you probably raise the front 1/8th.

 

[hankjr]

If you have EFI, also be careful of hood clearance with the extreme mounts unless you have / going to a scooped hood. I dont have data on carbed intake clearance.

Hank

 

[ScanmanSteven]

So I checked my 351, I have about 1/2” clearance, possibly because of my extreme duty motor mounts, about 5 years old in Bronco years!

 

[Z Bronco]

I ordered the WH extreme mounts today, good timing as they are on sale. I have a 2" body lift and an old Duff hood bubble, hopefully clearance for the EFI won't won't be an issue. I have a Lightening lower and a Explorer upper with a 1" spacer, no EGR.

Thanks everyone!

 

[DirtDonk]

You might be running afoul of the wider 351 putting the brackets just slightly outboard of a 302, where the crossmember is higher as it gets farther out towards the frame rails.
I'm just doing this from memory though, so can you tell me if that is even "a thing" in this case? Agree that it's strange, but that curvature might be what's going on.

And the WH version of Extreme motor mounts are not designed to lift the engine any higher than stock. While some report that, I would measure your distance and variation using the crankshaft bolt/pulley or some place in the center. This would avoid any discrepancies regarding where the mounts fall in the slotted holes in the towers.

This slotted hole and the "V" shape of the towers is what lets us sometimes gain some clearance by rotating the engine.

Also, I have not heard anyone mention it yet, but there is a smaller diameter pulley available for this setup. That would not keep the bracket itself from touching something of course, but if the pulley is too close, the smaller pulley is often the only cure needed.

Paul

 

[bronconut73]

Subscribed...,

I love this bar....

 

[Z Bronco]

Paul, I agree that the 351 may be putting the bracket farther out and closer to the crossmember brace. I am going to take measurements of the before and after motor mount change. I have the part numbers for two smaller idler pulleys (one 64mm and the other 60mm) if needed after the motor mount change, and I will clearance the bracket if the new motor mounts don't help enough. Plenty to work on while the new motor mounts are in transit.