V-Belt to Serpentine

[ISX_15]

Is it possible to swap older style v-belts (1985 ford ranger v6) to serpentine type? I plan to run high output alternator(s) (240A+) and want the best pulley system. I already have some squeeling going on from a pulley thats ready to go out.

 

[Curious Hound]

Just have to find the pulleys to do it. Might have to add an idler and tensioner pulley.

I'm not sure that micro-V serpentines are any better than V-belts. They're more convenient, maybe, since there is only one. But, since there is inly one, if it breaks, you lose everything - water pump, alternator, power steering and AC. With separate V-belts, you only lose what us served by the broken belt. Load is not an issue for V-belts. I work on equipment with 200hp motors attached to loads with V-belts. In previous jobs, I saw even heavier applications. Personally, I wouldn't see the conversion expense as justified.

 

[ISX_15]

Just have to find the pulleys to do it. Might have to add an idler and tensioner pulley.

I'm not sure that micro-V serpentines are any better than V-belts. They're more convenient, maybe, since there is only one. But, since there is inly one, if it breaks, you lose everything - water pump, alternator, power steering and AC. With separate V-belts, you only lose what us served by the broken belt. Load is not an issue for V-belts. I work on equipment with 200hp motors attached to loads with V-belts. In previous jobs, I saw even heavier applications. Personally, I wouldn't see the conversion expense as justified.

I was thinking about doing those four or five ribs serpentine system. Not sure if I can just grab them off a newer year ranger and fabricate my own idler pulleys and what not.
I was reading online that those high output alternators can work with V belts just fine but the problem is once you start pulling a decent amount of amperage and put a load on the alternator and engine, it can cause belt slip and that fun stuff.
I plan on doing a high powered audio system, engine is just gonna be for spinning alternator(s)
Is there a specific procedure for setting the tension on the belts? Or just tighten it until all the play is gone? When my smog pump went out the pulley for it locked up and into my surprise instead of it shredding the belt, It was just slipping over the pulley.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just have to find the pulleys to do it. Might have to add an idler and tensioner pulley.

I'm not sure that micro-V serpentines are any better than V-belts. They're more convenient, maybe, since there is only one. But, since there is inly one, if it breaks, you lose everything - water pump, alternator, power steering and AC. With separate V-belts, you only lose what us served by the broken belt. Load is not an issue for V-belts. I work on equipment with 200hp motors attached to loads with V-belts. In previous jobs, I saw even heavier applications. Personally, I wouldn't see the conversion expense as justified.

With the smog pump deleted my 2.8 used the same belt belt for both sides. The one that ran the power steering pump was then the same size as the one that ran the alternator, that was kind of neat.

I just carry a spare serpentine belt now. Since my truck didn't have A/C when I first put it together I still have the belt from that era as a spare.

micro v does hold better. I noticed that a lot in ag, most tractors run 2 v belt sets to try to hold and they don't even have a power steering pump like a street vehicle.

Running two separate belts may help but often when belt A breaks it comes off and wads up belt B and the net result is the same where you have no belts.

 

[ISX_15]

With the smog pump deleted my 2.8 used the same belt belt for both sides. The one that ran the power steering pump was then the same size as the one that ran the alternator, that was kind of neat.

I just carry a spare serpentine belt now. Since my truck didn't have A/C when I first put it together I still have the belt from that era as a spare.

micro v does hold better. I noticed that a lot in ag, most tractors run 2 v belt sets to try to hold and they don't even have a power steering pump like a street vehicle.

Running two separate belts may help but often when belt A breaks it comes off and wads up belt B and the net result is the same where you have no belts.

Do you think I could get away with running a dual V belt pulley on the alternator?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Do you think I could get away with running a dual V belt pulley on the alternator?

No idea, I think ag's big issue was the fans to keep things cool moreso than the little 65a alternator they ran lol.

Dual belts are a PITA though, really they should be a matched set but most places are not stocking them as such. A custom setup will not likely have a matched set out there that would fit.

I would try what you have, if it doesn't work then see if maybe the 2.8 Aerostar had serpentine, if not check into if swapping in 4.0 belt drive may work

Food for thought, if you are converting to EFI and serpentine belts... it may be easiest/cheapest/bestest to just swap to a 4.0 and get OE quality EFI with your belt drive and more power to boot.

 

[ISX_15]

No idea, I think ag's big issue was the fans to keep things cool moreso than the little 65a alternator they ran lol.

Dual belts are a PITA though, really they should be a matched set but most places are not stocking them as such. A custom setup will not likely have a matched set out there that would fit.

I would try what you have, if it doesn't work then see if maybe the 2.8 Aerostar had serpentine, if not check into if swapping in 4.0 belt drive may work

Food for thought, if you are converting to EFI and serpentine belts... it may be easiest/cheapest/bestest to just swap to a 4.0 and get OE quality EFI with your belt drive and more power to boot.

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure I could cook something up. I could certainly do an engine swap just right now. I wanna learn off the 2.8 and possibly rebuild it. I’m not really looking for power gains with this truck. Just simplicity and reliability however if I do go all out with the audio system, I wouldn’t even call it simple at that point.
And speaking of engine swaps I’m not sure if that’s a task i could easily handle compared to the other things I’m working on, I just want my truck to get to point A to B with a banging system.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure I could cook something up. I could certainly do an engine swap just right now. I wanna learn off the 2.8 and possibly rebuild it. I’m not really looking for power gains with this truck. Just simplicity and reliability however if I do go all out with the audio system, I wouldn’t even call it simple at that point.
And speaking of engine swaps I’m not sure if that’s a task i could easily handle compared to the other things I’m working on, I just want my truck to get to point A to B with a banging system.

Just pulling numbers out of the air you will probably have a grand in the aftermarket EFI conversion plus whatever for your belt thing.

A good 4.0 would probably be cheaper, would drop in and and go.

Aftermarket EFI would never be as good as OE IMO especially comparing throttle body to multiport.