v-belt to serpentine belt???

[bmxmon]

Hey, does anybody know if the serpentine belt system off of a newer 5.0 (I would imagine the 87-95's would have them) will fit a 79' 302?? Its the same waterpump side exit and stuff, so I would think that it would. Thanks for any info.

[Gearhead999]

I'm in the process of doing it on a 68. So far this is what I've found. Water pump turns different direction from the V-belt system. Engines with 3-bolt balancers have to adapt the lower pulley somehow.

Still working on it though.

[Phillyfanfrombirth]

Any chance of sticking an idler pulley on there?

[bmxmon]

Is the engine you are working on a 68?? How are you going about it, switching the waterpump out? Have you found if the alternator fan/belt pulley can just switch over or not? I would imagine for you that you would have to swap the timing chain cover and water pump out to the newer style. Im glad others have thought about this swap, and that Im not going into it blind. Thanks Gearhead999, keep me updated on your progress. Phillyfan, do you think instead of using an idler pulley it could be adjusted with the alternator? I just thought it would be a good swap, instead of paying $500 for a shiney one, lol. Thanks guys.

[Phillyfanfrombirth]

If I remember right, the timing chain cover is the same, with the exception of the fuel pump hole being unmachined as electric pumps were used instead of mechanical ones...

My dad had a 87 Lincoln 5.0 that I stuck in a 79 truck I use around the yard... there were a lot of cast aluminum brackets and an idler pully on the front of the engine that you would need to use... and the water pump did spin the other way.

I went the other way, though... going from the serpentine to the V-belt. Heck, I might still even have those brackets and the idler arm... but quite frankly, I think that it would clutter the engine compartment if you went that route.