50 oz SBF Explorer front dress/V-belt compatibility

[Chris Kouba]

I have a '94 & newer front dress on a 50 oz FMS crate motor and want to switch over to a V belt (alternator & AC compressor already have them). The current crank pulley/harmonic balancer is one piece so it won't swap a V pulley onto it.

So, can anyone point me at the correct part numbers for a 50 oz balancer which will work with the Explorer covers and will have a pulley bolt onto it?

MANY thanks in advance!

 

[Mike Huddart]

Chris,
balancers are quite easy but if you are using the Explorer front cover you need to sort out which water pump you can use.
The Standard Explorer pump is reverse rotation and won't work with V-belts. Also the depth of the pump is differant, shorter by about 1 3/4 over the normal v-belt pumps. Ford still does their Hot Rod pump for V-belts, the same depth as the Explorer pump, but no longer do the V-belt pullies to go with it. Also, it doesn't fit the Explorer type front cover. Early front covers are readily available now and cheap, about $60, so might be an idea to change that if you need to change the pump.
Back to the question and dampers, being 3,000 miles from Detroit we take the easy option and go for a universal damper like the Professional Products 80007 ( 50oz ) or SFI 90007, they come as the shortest option and are drilled for three and four bolt pullies. If the spacing isn't right use one of their spacers, 81006 ( .350 ), 81007 (.950 ) or 81008 ( .875 ) to get things aligned. They are cheap, about $12 each, so we always have a selection to make life easier.
In my experience the RCR air-con brackets etc are set up for the shortest option, ie no spacers, but you need to resolve the water pump issue first.
For a bolt on v-pulley have a look at the March range, they do all sorts of combos for differant spacing, diameters etc. We normally order the shortest and jugle things with the damper spacers if needs be.
Mike

Actually, just double checked and it looks like the '94 Explorer front cover will take a conventional pump or the Hot Rod pump so you had better check. The short Explorer pumps didn't come out 'till '96, maybe someone more up to speed can confirm.

 

[Chris Kouba]

Thanks Mike!

I will find that damper and thanks a lot for the head up on the rotation of the water pump. I had forgotten about that- I will need to swap the water pump. Where did you see hot rod one available?

I already figure I'll be juggling the spacing as I needed to make my own AC hanger. I left flexibility in my design and now need the rest of the system to get it solidified.

Chris

 

[bob peckham]

Chris, the short water pump is sold by ford motorsports listed as their street rod/ hot rod pump for more clearance , hope this help Bob

 

[Chris Kouba]

My next question: do I need to change the timing cover as well? It would seem to me that I do...

If I use this pump:

Ford Racing Performance Parts

It should have the proper rotation but I don't think it'll match my timing cover.

The cover I think I will end up using is:

Ford Racing Performance Parts

I believe the one I have on the motor is a standard Explorer cover:

Other pics here.

Thoughts/opinions? I will be calling the FMS tech support line tomorrow...

Thanks,

 

[Mike Huddart]

Chris,
if you you want to waste all of tomorrow trying to get through to the Ford Tech line then go ahead but , yes, if you want to use the same depth pump as the Explorer you will have to go for the Ford M-8501-E351S but paleeze don't pay $140 for their timing cover. You can get exactly the same cover ( Hecho en Mexico ) from all sorts of supliers for half the money. Find an Allstar Performance or Silver Seal stockist for instance.
We are dealers for Allstar,( but the postage would kill the deal ), the same # as the FMS is 90014, but you need to buy a blanking plate for the mechanical pump. Better to go for either 90017 or better still 90018, neither have the fuel pump mount. If you need the dip stick in the cover for a front oil pan then you DO need the 90014.
Go to www.allstarperformance.com for your nearest dealer, they should be able to get you the Ford pump also and save you some carriage costs.
If you get stuck, let me know, I will put you in touch, we have influence !
Mike

PS. ask the same dealer about the Professional Products damper numbers too.

 

[Chris Kouba]

Mike,

If you were closer, I'd be buying you a pint at the pub!

The Allstar stuff looks like all the stuff I need. I tried looking for a water pump through them as well but couldn't weed it out of the search function. Do you have a P/N for a standard rotation water pump which will fit that cover?

THANKS!!!

 

[Mike Huddart]

Mike,

If you were closer, I'd be buying you a pint at the pub!

The Allstar stuff looks like all the stuff I need. I tried looking for a water pump through them as well but couldn't weed it out of the search function. Do you have a P/N for a standard rotation water pump which will fit that cover?

THANKS!!!

I'll tell you what, you buy me an air ticket and I'll bring the beer !

Allstar is the "own brand" line of the warehouse we deal with in the US so it's not a full range. It's trade only from the warehouse so you can't go direct but they have dealers all over the US.The water pump is a Ford only part but whoever you get in touch with for the Allstar stuff will be able to order direct from the warehouse, they can drop ship to you direct .
I have checked the part numbers and they have everything in stock at the warehouse including the short Ford pump.
Ask for an Allstar catalogue to be included with the order.
If you have any problems let me know.

Mike

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Chris, I went through something like this on my Cobra, although there is a great deal more room for the front dress in that car than in a GT40. A lot of front timing covers have a hole for the oil dipstick, which doesn't work in a GT40. The only usable position for the oil dipstick in a GT40 seems to be one in the oil pan. You may need to plug a hole in the front timing cover.

On the GT40, I used the short Ford water pump, or one like it, and old Ford pulleys that I got from one of the suppliers of used Mustang parts. We cleaned them up and reused them, best as I recall. If you don't mind using old parts, there are a number of folks that supply them listed in Hemmings.