2.8L Serpentine Conversion?

[LoneRanger3O2]

Is there any such thing as a Serpentine Conversion for the 2.8L? Let me know if this is possible....Part #s, pictures, belt routing and bracket sources are helpful! Thanks in advance.

 

[LoneRanger3O2]

Apparently not? LOL

 

[fastpakr]

Not that I've ever heard of, no.

 

[adsm08]

No, there is not. I have seen the topic come up a number of times over the years in relation to the 2.9, which is basically the same, except it lacks the air pump.

There is no aftermarket kit to change it over, and factory parts don't really work either. The 3.0 has all the bolt holes in the wrong spot. The 4.0 is closer, but has a taller deck, so you still have a bunch of bolt holes in the wrong spot.

The other issue is the water pump. V-belts use a standard rotation water pump, while most (not all) serp belts use a reverse rotation pump. Turning the water pump the wrong direction doesn't circulate enough coolant, and will overheat the engine.

 

[bobbywalter]

so turn the pump the right way.

 

[LoneRanger3O2]

so turn the pump the right way.

My thoughts exactly....if you can get a pulley to fit....simply route the belt to turn it the correct way? Im pretty sure this is done on many vehicles out there.

Sounds like i am on my own as far as finding/making parts to make this all happen though.

 

[fastpakr]

I have a vague memory of the Aerostar vans having a serpentine setup that people pirated for ranger use. I can't remember which engine and a quick search brings up nothing useful.

 

[fastpakr]

https://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99531
This post references it, but no details.

 

[adsm08]

I have a vague memory of the Aerostar vans having a serpentine setup that people pirated for ranger use. I can't remember which engine and a quick search brings up nothing useful.

I'm pretty sure it was the 3.0. That was the only RBV engine that ever had both, and was used in an Aerostar.


The 2.8/2.9 were only ever V-belt. The 4.0 was only ever serp. The 2.3, AFAIK was never in the minivans.

 

[bobbywalter]

i had a 2.3 5 speed uglystar....

 

[LoneRanger3O2]

I'm pretty sure it was the 3.0. That was the only RBV engine that ever had both, and was used in an Aerostar.


The 2.8/2.9 were only ever V-belt. The 4.0 was only ever serp. The 2.3, AFAIK was never in the minivans.

Im not saying youre wrong, because i dont know much about the 2.8, but why is it that i can find alternators with a serpentine pulley on them for the 2.8 and buy power steering pulleys for serpentine when i look up the Aerostar by application?

At any rate, are there any crank pulleys/dampeners that would fit on the 2.8 crank snout and still have enough clearance from the front of the motor to line up a serpentine setup?

 

[adsm08]

I could be wrong. I don't have a lot of experience with the 2.8, or the Aerostar, I just remember reading a few places that no 2.8 ever had a serp belt. That info could be wrong.

I also find it odd that the Aerostar would get the 2.8, with a serp belt, for a single year, when no other year or version of that engine had it, a year after that engine was discontinued in every other vehicle. Ford likes to re-used things, not design parts for a single use.

 

[LoneRanger3O2]

I could be wrong. I don't have a lot of experience with the 2.8, or the Aerostar, I just remember reading a few places that no 2.8 ever had a serp belt. That info could be wrong.

I also find it odd that the Aerostar would get the 2.8, with a serp belt, for a single year, when no other year or version of that engine had it, a year after that engine was discontinued in every other vehicle. Ford likes to re-used things, not design parts for a single use.

From what im finding, youre probably correct. Wondering now if i could find a harmonic balancer/pulley that is going to fit the crank snout, id be home free because i can find a pulley for all the accessories.