Merc Mountanier vs Explorer Serp swap? Any difference?

[kat]

I have a '71 302 and been wanting to do the Serpentine swap that all the cool kids are doing. I've checked my local junkyard and found a '98 Mercury Mountaineer with a 5.0. I've read the tech article on the process but just wanted to make sure there aren't any hidden problems I might come up with...do you recommend me leaving the Merc alone and find a Explorer??
I know to snip the wires behind the alternator and take a powersteering hose, but should I take or leave the A/C unit?? Hopefully next year I will have A/C in the Bronco and I'm "assuming" that companies like Vintage Air lines will hook to it??? Just didn't know if it was worth the trouble..that is even if the thing works....Thanks

Also, if anyone can give me a tool inventory that I will need to take with me would be AWSOME....

 

[crawler73]

They are the same thing. The mountaineer will work if that's what you have in front of you.

 

[904Bronco]

They are the same thing. The mountaineer will work if that's what you have in front of you.

You could take the AC compressor, but once exposed to the elements and the fact that it probably has at least 100K on it, all it will be good for is a core.

BCB's AC unit comes with a Sanden style compressor and adapter to the Ford bracket.
Or they make Sanden style compressor that bolts directly Ford bracket.
Or you can use the same AC compressor unit that comes with Explorer/Mountaineer with the intake/discharge adapter block that BCB sells.

 

[sykanr0ng]

The Exp./Mount. AC compressor is known for quietly failing without warning and throwing debris into the rest of the AC system then the whole thing will need to be replaced.

The Sanden is much better, just avoid the China copies.

 

[sanndmann3]

absolutely no difference between the Merc and Explorer.

as far as tool kit goes...
sockets: 8, 10 & 13 mm. 3/8, 1/2, 9/16, 11/16 & 15/16 & 1/2 deep. ratchet wrenches and various extensions. Fan tools wire cutters or tin snips. harmonic puller, hammer crowbar hacksaw, file, screw drivers, vice grips, wire brush, diagnal cutters & utility knife should cover most of the stuff required...

also recommend leather gloves to keep blood loss to a minimum...
and hose plugs to keep p.s. from leaking everywhere...

have fun!

 

[kat]

The Exp./Mount. AC compressor is known for quietly failing without warning and throwing debris into the rest of the AC system then the whole thing will need to be replaced.

The Sanden is much better, just avoid the China copies.

Ok...thanks everybody, Ill leave the compressor there....just thought I might could save some money down the road....

Now how about the tool list??....The radiator is already out of this thing so what size wrenchs/sockets to bring??.......any idea??....My toolbox wont fit in my truck so gonna have to take what I need...

 

[sanndmann3]

having the radiator out of the way will make it much easier to work...

 

[kat]

absolutely no difference between the Merc and Explorer.

as far as tool kit goes...
sockets: 8, 10 & 13 mm. 3/8, 1/2, 9/16, 11/16 & 15/16 & 1/2 deep. ratchet wrenches and various extensions. Fan tools wire cutters or tin snips. harmonic puller, hammer crowbar hacksaw, file, screw drivers, vice grips, wire brush, diagnal cutters & utility knife should cover most of the stuff required...

also recommend leather gloves to keep blood loss to a minimum...
and hose plugs to keep p.s. from leaking everywhere...

have fun!

Thanks sandman I just seen this post...going to the junkyard in the morning and needed to gather tools...Quick question, I shouldn't need a fan tool if I take it all in one piece right??...radiator is out of it already. Also how far back should I cut the alt wires??...anything I can use off of it later down the road like a regulator or something??? I don't know much about wiring so Im gonna have to google to figure out how to do it but wanted to know while Im out there under the hood of the Merc is there something I might need

 

[price209]

If I remember right when I pulled my serp set up, you have to pull the fan to access some of the bolts to either remove the water pump or the timing cover or maybe both, but I can't remember for sure. Sandmann has done a lot of them so I would trust his tool list.

 

[sanndmann3]

Probably could get the bolts out with the fan on but it is so much easier getting stuff out of the way...

 

[kat]

Probably could get the bolts out with the fan on but it is so much easier getting stuff out of the way...

You are correct old wise one...Had to make another trip to town to get a fan clutch puller. Couldn't do it with the tools I had....It went well other than some jack hole cross threaded a timingcover/water pump bolt as long as my arm...I was hoping it would break but noooooooo...had to vise grip it all the way. Got it all but left the harmonic balancer. Getting a pulley for mine thru Driven.