Getting rid of the serpentine belt system

[junkyardjeff]

My 88 bronco with a 5.0 developed a coolant leak and it turns out the timing chain cover is corroded where it meets the block so I am thinking about changing to V belts while its apart,I know I will need about everything from the front of a 302 with V belts but will I also need the older timing chain cover too. I can see serpentine belts on vehicles where space is limited but not on a truck with plenty of room.

[Harry]

Check which way the water pump turns.

[416Ford]

I only have a power steering pump and an alternator and what a pain it was trying to find the correct offset pullies. Make sure you have all the pullies to match up before jumping into that swap.
Not one of Fords better ideas. But still better then the alternatives.

[UGLY OLDS]

Why not just change the timing cover if everything else is working properly  ?? Seems like a lot of un-necessary work...  Good excuse to replace the timing chain ...


Bob.....

[jaybee]

I'm with Bob. By now I've put a whole bunch of miles on cars with serpentine systems. My experience with them has been highly positive.

[Okiedokie]

I agree with staying with serpentine. Getting Ford brackets and pulleys lined out for v belts was not fun the last time I did that. I much prefer the factory serpentine on my 5.0.

[kb426]

I vote for serp. also. I chased pulleys for quite a while several times to do both of these setups. I know what you're in for.  

[papastoyss]

Serpentine belts are much more reliable. A v belt w/a crack is not long for this world, a serpentine will last another couple years longer. I have plenty of things to fix w/o taking on things that ain't broke.

[junkyardjeff]

I ended up just putting the correct timing chain cover on it.