1985 belt problems.

dirtyb15 · Dec 14, 2003

I have an 85 brnnco that i recently purchased and i am having all kinds of problems with the belts. Every time i get into a little water on the trails my power steering belt will fall off. I make sure it is tight and have no problems till it gets wet, and i have to do alot of manuevering. In all actuallity i would much rather have a serpentine belt. Is this possible with the older 4.9 straght six's????

Stokes · Dec 14, 2003

yeah its completely possible, the only real conflict that i can think about is trading the different AC pumps, otherwise just get yourself the brackets, powersteering pump, alt ect. just grab a grocery(sp) cart and head to the junk yard!

dirtyb15 · Dec 14, 2003

still have questions

Stoked said:
yeah its completely possible, the only real conflict that i can think about is trading the different AC pumps, otherwise just get yourself the brackets, powersteering pump, alt ect. just grab a grocery(sp) cart and head to the junk yard!

Well that is good becuase i dont have my ac hooked up as it is. So basically i just have to find a newer 4.9 with a serpentine belt and rob it of all its pulleys? Will the tensioner fit right on? What about the fan and crankshaft pulleys?
Thanks

Tomh971 · Dec 14, 2003

ok.... from what I'm to understand, on the 302's anyway, the "serpentine" water pump turns the opposite direction, this COULD also be the case on the 4.9... This would be something you might want to find out. It seems to me that was the only REAL mod necessary except replacing the pulleys on the other accessories and the crank... again, this is my knowledge of the 5.0, check with a local garage or Ford Service to make sure...

Stokes · Dec 15, 2003

yeah, i can understand about the waterpump. but if it was me, id change it while i was in there anyways while its apart! one less thing to worry about. but yes just get everything off of a 87 and newer truck with a 4.9FI and it should swap durectly.

dirtyb15 · Dec 15, 2003

Great, now i gotta do some shopping

Thanks for the info guys.

Stokes · Dec 15, 2003

take pics and show us how it ends up!

Stokes · Dec 15, 2003

ok i found some more info for you, you might have to change the timming cover also and i now know that you are going to need to swap the harmonic balancer, i found this writup for a 302/351w, but i think the facts are about the same.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/serpentineconversion.php

1985 belt problems.

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