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Topic: Front Accessory Drive Modifications (Read 2998 times) previous topic - next topic

Front Accessory Drive Modifications

I haven't had working A/C since swapping in the 5.0 a decade plus ago ... a lot of the parts have just remained as place holders.  I decided I was going to try to clean some stuff up and overhaul all of my front accessory drive components.  So, in no particular order:

-3G alternator upgrade
-Smog pump and associated values/plumbing deleted
-A/C delete and relocation of power steering pump
-Underdrive pullies
-Polish belt tensioner and swap idler pulley
-Electric fan
-Powder coat brackets

I went to a small local car show this past Saturday and then started the tear down when I got home.  I got just about everything removed from the car.  Modified the alternator bracket and test fit the 3G.

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #1
Nice project.

I went with a 95 amp 3G since I still have a clutch fan. Kept me from having to modify the alternator bracket, as the 95 amp has a smaller case.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #2
Nice project.

I went with a 95 amp 3G since I still have a clutch fan. Kept me from having to modify the alternator bracket, as the 95 amp has a smaller case.

The modification to the bracket is pretty minor ... just had to use a cut off wheel to take a small triangle shaped piece out of it, then tried to clean it up and blend it as nicely as I could.  Filed everything smooth and did some light sanding.  It's not really in a visible spot once it's on the car and any remaining imperfections will disappear when it's powder coated.

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #3
Looks good! I had the accessory brackets on my 5.0L engine powder coated in aluminum color about 10 years ago when I did the engine swap. The aluminum powder coat still looks new and is super easy to clean. Wish I would have powder coated the engine and trans mounts while I was at it...oh well  :nonchalance:
1988 Thunderbird
306 HO w/ A9P processor
AOD w/ Transgo Reprogrammer
Full Digital Dash w/ twin Cyberdyne A-pillar gauges 
245/50/16 Tires on Snowflakes
Engine swap - CA smog compliant

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #4
Looks good! I had the accessory brackets on my 5.0L engine powder coated in aluminum color about 10 years ago when I did the engine swap. The aluminum powder coat still looks new and is super easy to clean. Wish I would have powder coated the engine and trans mounts while I was at it...oh well  :nonchalance:

Thanks.  I was heavily considering going with an aluminum color this go round, but am going to do black for all the brackets and then polished aluminum for all the pulleys.  I try to keep clean, but the black should help hide some dirt in the hard to reach places.  I hi-temp rattle can painted most of the stuff red years ago when I built the motor and put it in the car ... problem is ... most of the red on the engine has turned orange over the years due to the heat.  The accessory brackets have stayed red but the heads, block, timing cover, and water pump have all gone orange.

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #5
Alternator bracket back from coating.

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #6
Looks good, did it cost much to have them powder coated?
1988 Thunderbird
306 HO w/ A9P processor
AOD w/ Transgo Reprogrammer
Full Digital Dash w/ twin Cyberdyne A-pillar gauges 
245/50/16 Tires on Snowflakes
Engine swap - CA smog compliant

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #7
I don't know why, but I thought you would have gone with the March setup or something like that.
It's Gumby's fault.


Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #9
I don't know why, but I thought you would have gone with the March setup or something like that.

I considered it, just wanted to keep the stock belt tensioner for some reason.  Some of the pulleys will be March, just keeping the stock brackets, although converting to the Ford A/C delete brackets.

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #10
I considered it, just wanted to keep the stock belt tensioner for some reason.  Some of the pulleys will be March, just keeping the stock brackets, although converting to the Ford A/C delete brackets.

I don't blame you for wanting to keep the automatic tensioner. I don't miss the old days of hearing the belt squeal for a few days before you can get to it, or every time you change the oil having a laundry list of things to do.
It's Gumby's fault.

 

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #11
Speaking of tensioners ... I spent a good part of the weekend sanding and polishing mine up.  Replaced the idler pulley with a billet one from UPR.

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #12
Nice project.

I went with a 95 amp 3G since I still have a clutch fan. Kept me from having to modify the alternator bracket, as the 95 amp has a smaller case.

The modification to the bracket is pretty minor ... just had to use a cut off wheel to take a small triangle shaped piece out of it, then tried to clean it up and blend it as nicely as I could.  Filed everything smooth and did some light sanding.  It's not really in a visible spot once it's on the car and any remaining imperfections will disappear when it's powder coated.

I know it's not hard. I'm just lazy  :toothless: .
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #13
Since a lot of stuff is out of the way at the moment, took the opportunity to replace my exhaust header gaskets.  I had the paper style ones in there from when we built the motor ... hind sight being 20/20 ... bad decision.  Several of the ports had developed leaks where the gasket had either split or burned out.  I don't put a ton of miles on the car, but it has had an annoying exhaust tick for quite some time.  Put in a set of nice copper gaskets last night, hopefully that corrects the problem going forward.  

Re: Front Accessory Drive Modifications

Reply #14
Not a ton of progress, but moving along.  Got the alternator bracket assembly all put back together and in the car.  Removed all the smog equipment and blocked the back of the heads ... working on the 3G wiring.