Serpentine vs v-belt

Sorry for the numerous questions over the last few days, but I have another!!

Lets say, for example, I picked up a 4.0 serpentine engine, and I wanted to run it using the v-belt arrangement from my 3.5.

Is this possible??

Assuming it is, is there any reason why it shouldn't be done??

Thanks!!!

Steve

Ignore me

Found the answer!!!

What was it? You can't keep it to yourself!

In my previous thread someone has put a 4.6 in and used v belts, so its fair to say its possible!!!

But why would ya?
Serp is a FAR better way of doin things.
I can say that as I've experienced both versions of the 3.9Efi... and to me the later serp type makes more sense

serpentine also has better water pump which feeds both sides more equally

It just seemed simpler to me!!!

But then again, the V8's are new to me, still got a lot to learn!

The 4 litre won't have a big hole in the top of the timing cover to stick a distributor in.

The best of both worlds is the late 3.9 timing cover, most common in post '94 ish discovery's, which has the better water pump, the better oil pump (crank driven), the serpentine belt, and still has provision for the dizzy.

I'm just presuming that you need the dizzy, to run your existing ignition system?

Hope that helps, Dave.

crazydave said:

The 4 litre won't have a big hole in the top of the timing cover to stick a distributor in.

The best of both worlds is the late 3.9 timing cover, most common in post '94 ish discovery's, which has the better water pump, the better oil pump (crank driven), the serpentine belt, and still has provision for the dizzy.

I'm just presuming that you need the dizzy, to run your existing ignition system?

Hope that helps, Dave.

Click to expand...

what he said

I stuck with the v belts when upgrading to 4.6 to keep it original looking, so it wouldn't be so obvious it's had an engine change. Also because it would have meant more faffing about and i needed to get the engine swapped asap. I know the serpentine front gives a slight improvement, but it's minimal and the v belt system is working fine for me

I may be wrong but I thought the serpentine engines had a longer crank nose to run the oil pump in the timing cover.

No, thats the 4.0/4.6, but your not completely wrong.

The serp crank has a longer keyway machined in it, so using the serp front end on an older crank just means that the keyway isn't quite long enough to engage in the front pulley properly, which may at first cause a little concern, however, lots of manufacturers have long since done away with keyways (Ford especially) and rely entirely on friction (not even a tapered shaft) So just make sure the bolt is nice and tight and Bob's your Uncle.

If you use a 3.9 serp front end on a 4.6 crank, there is too much crank nose poking out of the front pulley, so a simple collar is needed to sandwich the pulley tight.