Vintage Mustang Forums banner

Whats a good donor vehicle for 351W engine accessories/brackets?

2 reading
8.6K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  rq375  
#1 ·
If installing a 351W in a 66, is there a donor vehicle I can go look for that would work for water pump, AC, PS, Alternator brackets and pulleys? I've read all I can find, and it seems a lot of the brackets and front drive stuff off a 5.0 mustang will work, but not all. I am dreading trying to piece everything together.
I'm looking at all the different aftermarket setups from March, Vintage Air, All American, Concept One, etc, and they are EXPENSIVE. I'm ok using them if its a lot easier, but if a junkyard setup works, I'd rather go that route. I definitely don't need billet or chrome alternator, AC, PS pump!! Some of the aftermarket bracket only setups look ok, but by the time you buy normal accessories, its not far off of their complete package.
 
#2 ·
You need 351W brackets because of the taller deck height of the block (9.5") vs. the 221-260-289-302-5.0 (8.2"). This will affect any bracket that bolts to both the cylinder head and block, or cylinder head and front cover/water pump. You'll also need to consider the water pump inlet side...it's the passenger side on a '66 but driver's side on a '69+. If you're going to install a new radiator it probably makes the most sense to get one with a driver's side outlet, run a '69+ lower hose and grab the accessory brackets from an E or F-Series truck....looking at the "older" stuff for a V-belt setup and the "newer" stuff if considering going serpentine.
 
#3 ·
For serpentine you can use the F150/Bronco brackets. The 302 and 351 brackets are the same. If you want a Saginaw PS pump, you can use a Ford Van with a 351. You can also use a 5.0 Explorer, but that puts the AC down low on the driver's side. It might not clear the shock tower. Otherwise, the 5.0 Mustangs should work as well. I do not think there is a difference between the brakets for the 302 and the 351.

Baxter
 
#4 ·
Do a search on ebay for "Ford 351 serpentine drive brackets", if you want to use a factory reverse rotation serpentine drive system. You will also need a reverse rotation water pump, they all have the coolant inlet to the engine on the drivers side. Also check www.50resto.com for anything you can't find on e bay. I prefer the stock accessory drive stuff, it has been proven in millions of cars and is probably a little cheaper than the aftermarket stuff.
 
#5 ·
When I swapped the serpentine EFI 5.0 in my 1995 F150 out for a 5.8 (351W) I HAD to swap the accessory brackets out for 5.8 parts. Not ifs, ands, or buts.
A 351W is taller which makes the "V" in V8 taller AND wider. Accessory brackets that bolt to the block and water pump in v-belt applications usually fit fine. But those that also bolt to the heads are the ones that trip you up. It's easy on the alternator side. All you need is the OEM small adapter bracket that goes on the right head starting with 1969 351W's and the rest of the 289/302 brackets will then work fine. The power steering and AC brackets are where things get tricky.
 
#6 ·
I like the mid 90s E150 brackets, you get the Saginaw PS pump, big alternator and a compact AC compressor, and these brackets are designed to work on 5.0 or 5.8 with only a belt length change. The last set I bought was $100 and included brackets, bolts, pulleys, and accessories (no water pump). Mocked up on a 68:

Image