Serpentine conversion, worthwhile?

[Voodoo Guy]

Finally getting back to my 73 restoration project after 25 years..! since I need the alternator & ps pump, wondering if it’s worth converting to serpentine belt? And is there a kit available to do this? Thanks.

 

[nvrstuk]

There's a guy on here who sells everything you need. Legit, cheap and saves you tons of time.

YES, the serp setup is one of the biggest improvements you can do for your cooling making room for a larger radiator/more fan cfm flow, charging at idle so your lights don't dim! The 4G output is almost 3 times what a STOCK Bronco alternator has at 5,000rpm while barely spinning past idle, having pwr strg w/o squealing and leaks with more pressure, ease of maintenance for belts and just overall updates all your accessories by 40+ yrs. It's worth it

Guess there's a couple reasons...

 

[Voodoo Guy]

Sounds great. Link or contact? Thanks!

 

[Madgyver]

@sanndmann3

 

[bronco italiano]

There's a guy on here who sells everything you need. Legit, cheap and saves you tons of time.

YES, the serp setup is one of the biggest improvements you can do for your cooling making room for a larger radiator/more fan cfm flow, charging at idle so your lights don't dim! The 4G output is almost 3 times what a STOCK Bronco alternator has at 5,000rpm while barely spinning past idle, having pwr strg w/o squealing and leaks with more pressure, ease of maintenance for belts and just overall updates all your accessories by 40+ yrs. It's worth it

Guess there's a couple reasons...

If you buy the explorer setup from the vendor, plan on replacing the damper (you will need the damperdudes style that is for 28oz.) and buy a new fan. The plastic will more than likely show cracking due to age. Rebuild the pwr steering pump (Rockauto has a kit). The brackets are work every penny of that buy.

 

[Voodoo Guy]

If you buy the explorer setup from the vendor, plan on replacing the damper (you will need the damperdudes style that is for 28oz.) and buy a new fan. The plastic will more than likely show cracking due to age. Rebuild the pwr steering pump (Rockauto has a kit). The brackets are work every penny of that buy.

Already have the OE-style 28oz Summit damper. PS pump I have is beat, so will replace. Haven’t looked at the fan, but it’s 50 years old..

 

[DirtDonk]

Other than what they said about the Ford Explorer parts, there really are no suitable aftermarket serpentine conversion kits that I’m aware of.
Maybe there are, and I just haven’t heard of them, but most every one that we’ve ever seen has made clearance between the fan and the radiator even worse than it is with the stock v-belt set up.
The explorer kit replaces everything on the front of the engine from the front timing cover and water pump on out.

 

[DirtDonk]

The reason they mentioned those items like the fan and power steering pump, is that the only parts that fit with the explorer serpentine drive, are explorer parts. They are unique to the explorer, and very robust and low profile.
Best of the best for most of us.

 

[DirtDonk]

If you do a little searching for Explorer swap here, you should come up with lots of information about the tiny details.
Lots of info on full engine, swaps too. I’m sure, but most of those should include the explorer serpentine information.
Your new damper should be able to work, but you will need a conversion pulley such as we (Wild Horses) sell to make it all work.
But only if it is a bronco specific damper.

 

[rguest3]

The Explorer 5.0l Serpentine System is at the top of the list for best mods for the 302/351 Windsor motors.

Go to Bronco Parts for sale. Sanndmann3 is in there. Currently 4th line down.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Explorer setup uses all factory parts and replaces everything front the timing chain cover forward. Well engineered package that does everything a Bronco needs.

Other serpentine kits (mustang, truck, aftermarket) don't fit that well nor function as good. Most are too long to package well. Or too wide. Lack a good cooling fan.
The Explorer just checks all the right boxes. A cooling fan that works better than anything else out there (you do need the right shroud to match). Modifications to make it work are minimal (sometimes a smaller idler pulley on the passenger side, lower/relocate the power steering reservoir, correct balance damper, electric fuel pump).
Any other serpentine kit will have you spending more money, working harder, and not get as good of a result in the end.

 

[Johnnyb]

100% worth it! Get the kit from Sandman, very complete.
I was lucky to have a metal fan from my '95 donor motor motot, so used that instead

 

[nvrstuk]

Sandman! Yes

Or boneyard....

 

[Voodoo Guy]

Orig 302 is already built. Block off plate on fuel pump, have an electric one with Holley Sniper FI. Explorer setup sounds like a great way to go. I’ll check out Sanndmann3 & already had Wild Horses page open! Summit showed that 28oz balancer as correct for 73 302 Bronco. Hope it’s right, other stuff they list isn’t.

 

[Madgyver]

Orig 302 is already built. Block off plate on fuel pump, have an electric one with Holley Sniper FI. Explorer setup sounds like a great way to go. I’ll check out Sanndmann3 & already had Wild Horses page open! Summit showed that 28oz balancer as correct for 73 302 Bronco. Hope it’s right, other stuff they list isn’t.

You will need explorer timing cover. That you can get at your local auto parts stores

 

[DirtDonk]

Pretty sure it comes with the Sandman kit.

 

[jamesroney]

The reason they mentioned those items like the fan and power steering pump, is that the only parts that fit with the explorer serpentine drive, are explorer parts. They are unique to the explorer, and very robust and low profile.
Best of the best for most of us.

you should probably specifically mention the wild horses #2502 "Custom Crank Pulley use with stock Bronco 302 and Explorer 5.0 front"
The OP @Voodoo Guy mentions that he has a Summit Damper? Well, there is no Summit Damper that is a direct conversion for the Explorer. Since he says it is for a 73 Bronco, it must be a 28-oz 3 bolt Bronco damper. But I doubt it. It's probably that 28 oz combo 3-bolt / 4 bolt damper. And I'm pretty sure that damper is not an "outie" on the hub.

Since he's using a Sniper, he won't need the crank trigger. But he will have to time it somehow. So make sure you get a timing pointer for your Explorer. (which may or may not work with your damper, since I don't know what damper you have.)

The inlet for the Explorer water pump is on the wrong side of the car. Not a big deal, but it covers up the timing pointer, and the factory Bronco timing marks. Also not a big deal. You just need to handle it.

 

[nvrstuk]

Pretty sure it comes with the Sandman kit.

Yes it does. W/H also has a beautiful Tcover.

Good point on the dampner James.

 

[MarsChariot]

And if you have not already done so, please check out the tech article on here: https://classicbroncos.com/forums/ams/explorer-5-0-serpentine-accessory-drive-belt-conversion.1386/

 

[73azbronco]

Why? One belt, no squeal, gobs of electric and cooling.