Explorer serp detail ?'s & EFI coil mount bracket

[mattt]

I have a few questions on the Explorer serp setup and thought I'd run them up the flag pole of opinion....

Explorer fan...metal or plastic? Anyone know if one flows more air than the other? Have 1 of each...is one better than the other?

Distributor stabbing "sweet spot" is addressed in the tech article. I forgot to clearance the back side of my drivers side bracket for the TFI plug clearance. The tech article mentions a sweet spot that still allows enough adjustment to set timing without grinding the bracket. Is that "sweet spot" with the TFI plug behind the idler pulley, or between the idler pulley and water neck?

EFI coil bracket....other than the home made one in the tech article, has anyone come up with one that works well? I may have found one that will work well as an "almost bolt on" but I'll keep this thread updated with the final verdict. It's from a ~late 80's Aerostar. It's on the back side of the engine & is reached by removing the access panel inside the passenger compartment.

 

[itsabronco]

plastic fans tend to get cracks. I have one of each. using metal one. cant go wrong

you can stab the dist anywhere it works to clear bracket. you just have to place plug wires on the cap accordingly and so you can move dist. for timing purposes.

I have a coil bracket from a 91 stang. i mounted it right on the a/c bracket holes with just a little bending of the tabs on the coil mounting bracket. no a/c compressor on there. works out sweet. If needed, i can post pics when I get home.

 

[mattt]

I understand about arranging the wires to suit how the distributor is installed. What I was asking is where is that "sweet spot" that is referenced in the tech article. If I have the TFI plug behind the idler pulley & bracket, is there enough adjustment to alter timing? Or, does the TFI plug have to be between the idler pulley and the water neck to have adequate timing adjustment? Basically I'm looking for more info on where the aforementioned "sweet spot" is located.

I'm running the AC compressor, so no go on that location. The bracket I looked at looks like it will work above/behind the PS pump.

 

[toddz69]

I'd say the "sweet spot" is behind the idler pulley bracket. It took me quite awhile to find it when I did the Exploder front dress conversion but I finally nailed it. I now mark my dist. base relative to the block and the rotor position on the inside of the cap before I pull my dizzy so I make sure I get it back together right. When I had it apart for a manifold swap last summer, it probably took me 10-15 minutes to get it back in "just right". I think it'll give you enough room to adjust your timing. I didn't have to grind anything on my bracket.

Todd Z.

 

[Viperwolf1]

You're just going to have to stab the distributor until you can find a place it fits. There's only 1 or 2 choices. Some fuel rails interfere with the range of adjustment.

Search the wrecking yards for a fender mount coil bracket.

 

[mattt]

Thanks guys for the clarification on the sweet spot.

I think the Aerostar coil bracket is going to work well with very minimal re-work...I should know in the next week. I already test fit it on an Explorer that was in the yard, and it looks like it will work well. I just couldn't be 100% sure since the Explorer had no distributor in place. Once I get it nailed down, I'll post up with a pic how it works.
I looked at the fender mount bracket and it could be made to work, but will need some re-work.

 

[DanWheeler]

almost anything from the junkyard should work for a coil bracket. Here's mine:

 

[mattt]

Updating this thread with a pic or two on the coil mount bracket I came up with. The Aerostar bracket works pretty well with the Explorer front serp setup. In the pic, it's mounted to the back side of the PS/AC bracket in the pic. I think it may also work better, clearance wise for feed hose, on the PS pump side of the Explorer bracket. I didn't go that route because my PS pump is already mounted and I didn't want to take it out to get this coil bracket in there. In any case, it works on the back side with very minor work. The bends in the coil bracket even line up with the shape of the Explorer bracket.

One of the holes(bigger one) in the coil bracket catches the rear mount bolt of the PS pump. The other mount point I used lined up with a blank boss on the back side of the Explorer bracket. It's the upper small hole in the coil bracket pictured. I drilled the hole in the coil bracket and drilled/tapped the blank boss on the backside of the Explorer bracket. I also trimmed part of the coil bracket off(1 of the stock mount holes) so it's not so close to the PS reservoir, that's the dog leg cut in the pic. Two bolts holding the coil bracket to the Explorer main bracket. It positions the coil very close to the distributor, no need for long wires running all over the engine bay.

From what I've seen and played with so far, everything clears. But it is pretty snug, space wise, with everything around it....ps pump, feed hose, distributor, etc.

To get back to one of my first questions.....plastic or metal fan blade? Does one move more air than the other? I understand the plastics tend to crack and possibly not hold up as long. Any opinion one way or the other....or does it really not matter much?

 

[AZ69EB]

Don't mean to highjack this thread, but does anyone have the serpentine belt part number for the 96 explorer deleting the ac compressor?

Also, I heard some people have use the lower hose from a ford power stroke with a little trimming using the non-efi radiator.

Any truth to this? If so, please provide a part number.

Thanks

 

[toddz69]

Don't mean to highjack this thread, but does anyone have the serpentine belt part number for the 96 explorer deleting the ac compressor?

Belt is 060832.

Todd Z.

 

[AZ69EB]

Thanks Todd.

I received a new "Free" ford pwer stroke hose to try. Thanks Mitch!

I will let everyone know if it works.

 

[broncosbybart]

I have a metal fan on my serpentine setup. it PULLS some air! i would go metal over plastic.

 

[BroncoinAlaska]

As far as the coil bracket. I was looking for a Aerostar coil bracket but none could be found in my area. I had to settle for a coil fender bracket off a escort. Just had to bend the fender tab 180 degrees. It fit right on the back of the explorer power steering bracket.

 

[AZ69EB]

FYI - The lower radiator hose off a 2002 power stroke fit like a glove on my conversion. Just had to trim the ends just a little. I added a clamp to the crossmember for piece of mind. Keeps the hose from ever getting into the fan.

But, I also have the moster motor mounts and Ron Davis Radiator. The motor mounts raise the engine up about 3/4" higher. I didn't even have to grind to clear the crossmember.