3.2 swap accessory belts

[chrism3784]

I am going to put a 3.2 in my manual showagon. I want to keep it the single drive belt system, I have a whole 3.2 engine from a 95 sho, will I need to do anything special to keep the single drivebelt system on the 3.2. I plan to use the 3.0 cams in the 3.2 heads. Anything special also with the timing belt, I know the 3.2 and 3.0 use different notches on the belt. I don't see much information about this, most people seem to put the dual 3.0 drivebelts on it.

 

[rubydist]

you will need to fabricate a custom front motor mount. I posted a thread on the forum about that a while back, so you can see how that is done. you can use the factory 3.2 rear mount just rotated 180 degrees, iirc.

you will need to make a little modification to the wiring harness in that the alternator connectors are different - so you need to cut off the 'old' connector and splice on the 'new' connector.

you can swap over the 3.0 intake cams or use the 3.2. I have done both and for a daily driver type vehicle, I recommend staying with the 3.2 cams - it gives you more low end torque so its more easily driven in 'normal' use and it gives you better mileage than the 3.0 cams would.

 

[chrism3784]

so 3.2 cam is better for low torque and gas mileage. but with a little loss in high end?

 

[chrism3784]

i found your posting about the front motor mount using a rear from a 2000 taurus. The picutres dont work, you still have them?

 

[sperold]

Can you drag that post into this thread. You never know when you will need advice like that.

 

[rubydist]

so 3.2 cam is better for low torque and gas mileage. but with a little loss in high end?

correct, above about 5500-6000 it starts to drop off faster than the 3.0 cams do.

I will look for the pics - I had a computer crash a while back and I think I didn't have everything backed up like I thought I did...

 

[rubydist]

Can you drag that post into this thread. You never know when you will need advice like that.

http://shoforum.com/index.php?threa...ng-atx-accessories-on-3-2-in-mtx-swap.113467/

 

[rubydist]

yeah, the original pics from that other thread are MIA.

However, I found these that should help:

(I think these were from the Gen3 subframe I did, but the concept is the same.)

A very important point: the two angle pieces in the last picture need to be substantially heavier than the ones I used - mine would eventually break just below the bolt attachment to the motor. If you can't find angle iron that is double the thickness, then reinforce it with a plate of the same thickness. (I used 3/16" angle, you will want 3/8" for those two pieces, 3/16 is fine for the side straps.)

I also eventually welded all the bracket pieces together after I got it all aligned correctly - that is not shown in any of these photos.

Hope that helps!

 

[SHOdded]

Great info, ruby!

 

[chrism3784]

OK cool, thank you. I will make it happen now that I have something to go by. So 3.2 cams it is. My 3.0 sho motor literally exploded, I found this 3.2 in junkyard and got lucky. Basically I will be putting a 3.2 sho motor in a 1988 taurus wagon that has parts from gen1 and gen2 all throughout. An absolute frankentaurus

One last thing, anything special for the timing belt/tensioner? Assuming I use the 3.2 notch.

 

[rubydist]

yup, just normal 3.2 setup.

depending on how ambitious you are, you should at least check/replace rod bearings on your 'new' 3.2, and replace valve cover gaskets, timing belt and crank sensor.

I recommend running Motorcraft semi-synthetic 5W30 for a couple of oil changes after you get it together. I say this because SHO motors like to get sticky rings and I have had very good luck with that Motorcraft oil loosening up the sticky rings. (You know if the rings are sticky because you will hear piston rattle when you start up the engine cold, and it will go away as it warms up.)

 

[chrism3784]

I plan on rebuilding it in entirety. I have the knowhow and all the tools. Even taking the heads off and rehoning the cylinders and re-ringing.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

The serpentine belt tensioner is obsolete and so far no replacements or rebuilds. Just an FYI.

 

[chrism3784]

What did you do about the shaft that goes across from the transmission. The bracket isn't there in the one belt drive to screw it into?

 

[rubydist]

I made a bracket to hold it in place - just a couple of pieces of angle iron with holes in the right place. I don't recall just off the top of my head exactly how I mounted it, but it was not hard to do.