Going from V-belt to Serp on 351W

[JWMcCrary]

I don't have any problems with cooling, charging, PS, etc but I am getting tired of dealing with a loose alternator belt and squealing. The kits to convert off the shelf have always seemed too costly for no more trouble than I've had but I've about reached that point. AND, I don't really understand what all I need.

Currently I have a 3G alternator with a single pulley, WH heavy duty PS pump using WH bracket and a single pulley. I have BC's smaller diameter aluminum 2 belt water pump pulley, and a Pro Street 50oz 2 belt pulley (stroker balanced to 50oz, NOT 28). I'm running A Tuff Stuff water pump which when I bought it was told it could flow either direction and it has water out on passenger side. Running a Ron Davis radiator. Is there a practical way to convert without having to change the front cover, water pump, and radiator?

Teach me...if I could do this with reasonable cost I would look at doing it, otherwise I'll keep chugging along as is.

 

[triracer67]

You running a stock fan, it can put a lot more strain on belt.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Look into Continental brand v belts

 

[Crush]

For you it would be best to go with the aftermarket stuff designed to do exactly what you want it to. All the factory ford stuff is gonna require special accessories to bolt up to them. Go with march or the one bc sells. That way you only need the brackets, pullies and tensioning turnbuckles.

 

[DirtDonk]

But make absolutely sure you have the clearance first. Other than cost, the other reason I never was happy with most of the March and other brand setups was that they stuck out too far in front.
Not a problem for most cars and full-size trucks, but the Bronco as we all know is suffering in that area. Which is the primary reason the Explorer stuff has become so popular.

Paul

 

[NYLES]

JW I think this will fix it.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Sounds cool too!

 

[JWMcCrary]

JW I think this will fix it.

long list of reasons why that won't work...at least not easily. Looks like I'm replacing the adjuster on the bottom and putting a new better V-belt.....and continuing to ride.

 

[NYLES]

You said you wanted to fix the squeal thatll fix the squeal!

Those Continental mentioned above are the green belts I think.

 

[JWMcCrary]

You said you wanted to fix the squeal thatll fix the squeal!

Those Continental mentioned above are the green belts I think.

Be nice to still have Power steering

 

[JWMcCrary]

Look into Continental brand v belts

Who sells them? Dl any of the chain parts places sell them

 

[NYLES]

long list of reasons why that won't work...at least not easily. Looks like I'm replacing the adjuster on the bottom and putting a new better V-belt.....and continuing to ride.

If your talking about that adjuster from march? I hated it its a bitch to get to(and remember which way to turn) general PITA, I took mine off went back to a stocker. Kept the March top bracket.

 

[blubuckaroo]

This 3G alternator has sort of turned into the "flavor of the month." It opens up a can of worms as far as the gauge, wire size, and the worst part...driving that much amperage after starting the engine.

Unless you've added a bunch of accessories, an economical fix would be to replace the alternator with a stock 60A one.
The stock one is pretty reliable too. I've replaced the brushes and bearings once and got a rebuilt unit once in the 300K miles I've had the car.

 

[JWMcCrary]

This 3G alternator has sort of turned into the "flavor of the month." It opens up a can of worms as far as the gauge, wire size, and the worst part...driving it.
Unless you've added a bunch of accessories, an economical fix would be to replace the alternator with a stock 60A one.

Been running it for 10 years, was built for me by a member on here. I think I have a combination of cheap belt and that adjuster that Nyles mentioned.

 

[JWMcCrary]

If your talking about that adjuster from march? I hated it its a bitch to get to(and remember which way to turn) general PITA, I took mine off went back to a stocker. Kept the March top bracket.

That's what I am abut to do, toss that march adjuster and put the stock one back on.

 

[72Sport]

Put a larger pulley on the 3G. If it was running at half the speed it is now you would probably have much more output than you would have with a stock setup.

I had belt squeal with a 3G and Mustang Serpentine. I went to the local alternator rebuild shop and got a larger diameter pulley. No more problems AC on or off. Same should work with V belt.

Use a belt length that gives you maximum belt wrap around the pulley will help also.

 

[NYLES]

These are what I was talking about......

 

[eBronc2]

You might try checking out local salvage yards to see if there's any '80's full size Fords with 351W's with serpentine setups on them, that's where I got mine. It was out of a '84 F150, had power steering, so I reused the factory aluminum power steering bracket for the round plastic pump, got a new water pump from Autozone, and went with a 3G alternator up high on the passenger side. There are 351W 3G bracket kits available on eBay, mine came with nice aluminum brackets, longer bolts, standoffs, turnbuckle adjuster, etc.

There are crank pulley spacers available from Ford Performance in different widths to put the pulley just where you need it to line up with the accessories.

 

[NYLES]

That's what I am abut to do, toss that march adjuster and put the stock one back on.

I think doin that and a good belt will fix your problem.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Who sells them? Dl any of the chain parts places sell them

Oriellys and auto zone around here do not stock these(I don't go to advance anymore so I don't know about them) Napa and the indys didn't as well.

Summit racing and Amazon have them.

I started a thread a while back about squealing and slipping belts and a couple of guys here recommended continental v belts.

I went on a wheeling trip a couple months and the binding, squealing, and slipping was cut down dramatically. I'm running 37in tires with a saginaw pump.

The grooves on continental belts are at angles rather than straight across as most v-belts. This gives more of an area to "bite". I assume this is the reason for the reduced issues I was experiencing with conventional v-belts.