Explorer vs. Mustang serpentine parts???

[chuck]

the stock 4G alternators in 96-01 explorers are 130 amps

True, but they will not mount to the stock EB alternator bracket.

 

[70bucks]

Just curious. What is the advantage of running the serp set up?

 

[Ryan]

higher power items need more belt contact.

to produce more alternator output (amps) requires more engine power to spin
same with hi flow water pumps and high pressure steering pumps.

Serp belts are less mantiance, only need one spare,
stay on the pulleys better (generally speaking, but not always)

automatic tension (but if it fails, you are in big trouble)

 

[Unregistered]

the deciding factor for me with the explorer setup was the ability to run a thick electric fan , this is absolutely necessary in the hot climate where I live the thinner profile electric fans never pulled enough CFMs before & the mechanical fans did not work good at slow speeds either, I have a 315 horse crate motor with AC which is why this setup is a must for traffic ,drivethru's,trail's etc. in a 100 plus degree weather -this may not matter where you live you make the decision but it gets pretty damn hot at one point in time or another everywhere in the states, the stock alt. spins the fan very good at idle since it puts out as much amps at idle as the stock one maxed out at full capacity

 

[chuck]

If you removed the stock explorer fan/clutch and put on a ele. fan I think you reduced your cooling. That exp. fan really moves some air and the clutch turns it on and off. More air than you need anyway.

 

[jate]

If you removed the stock explorer fan/clutch and put on a ele. fan I think you reduced your cooling. That exp. fan really moves some air and the clutch turns it on and off. More air than you need anyway.

Chuck,
Would you say that is true even at idle or crawling speeds? I can believe that at higher rpms, but at low speeds that seems questionable to me. Anything over 30mph is going to be cooled by forced air not fan drawn air. Down in Moab it gets so darn hot and the speeds are so slow that I am worried that if I go with the stock explorer fan I will regret it down there. Thoughts???

 

[chuck]

Chuck,
Would you say that is true even at idle or crawling speeds? I can believe that at higher rpms, but at low speeds that seems questionable to me. Anything over 30mph is going to be cooled by forced air not fan drawn air. Down in Moab it gets so darn hot and the speeds are so slow that I am worried that if I go with the stock explorer fan I will regret it down there. Thoughts???

The over 30 mph thing is not all that true, ever hear the fan come on at freeway speeds? Very common going up long hills with a fan clutch. And the temp will go down when it does and the fan will go back off.
My engine does not over heat when I am going very slow in so cal traffic or wheeling in Moab or any other time.
Have a close look at any of the s-belt systems and you will see that the fan pulley is smaller than the crank pulley and that makes the water pump and fan move more air/water per a given RPM. I believe that is why the s-belts cool better at low speeds.

 

[Unregistered]

I'm not sure if I reduced cooling or not by not using the stock fan-clutch assembly from the explorer , but I know for sure the flexalite black magic fan works good because it is on my truck with duff's aluminum 5.0 conversion radiator , the ability to turn it on & off is nice(deep water ,super cold, etc.)& it takes no power from the motor , if reliabilty is a concern buy an extra motor ($90.00) & carry it with you. ------I went with explorer originally because the crate motor I went with already had the timing cover ,water pump & balancer on it giving me a head start & not having to purchase as many parts-------- I like the way Chuck speaks to everyone & am not trying make him lose sales ---his system is very nice also

 

[Unregistered]

I was just thinking if the stock fan clutch on these late model motors are thermo clutches, are they coming on & off at the right time for a motor running a carb at 180-190 verses a new motor in the 200 plus range

 

[chuck]

unreg. no worries, people should get what is right for them. Also most people run the FI so I guess the temp would be right.