Front Accessories for SBF

[JMo]

Hello Folks,

I'm fairly new to the community and have ordered a coupe kit which is due in April. Complete kit with IRS, AC, PS. My plan is to use a 347 paired with the T56 Magnum and a 3.55 rear. More transmission than needed but I like the double overdrive.

My question is regarding front accessories for the engine. I've confirmed with FFR the AC kit does come with the compressor and necessary brackets, and I believe it lives on the right side of the engine (can anyone confirm that?). The engine I've been discussing with Mike Forte (ford racing 347) can be equipped with Mike's AC + PS bracket which lives on the left side. Trouble is we don't know if the FFR supplied compressor will fit on Mike's bracket, and if it does, will all the FFR supplied hoses reach.

I'm looking for some advice on how to navigate this. FFR declined to share the details about the compressor so I don't know if it will fit on Mike's bracket. Any suggestions on how best to get all the front accessories I need/want and avoid buying stuff twice? Should I buy Mike's bracket and hope for the best? Perhaps just punt on the PS until I have everything in front of me and buy something for that later? Appreciate any advice. thanks

John

[egchewy79]

Have you asked Mike? He works extensively with FFR and should know if his set up works with theirs . Also check out options from CVF racing.

[svassh]

I would ask Mike Forte he is knowledgable about how/if it will all bolt together.

[JMo]

Thanks, I've spoken with Mike a few times. He can provide EITHER a PS bracket or AC Bracket, or one bracket that supports both. But his individual AC and PS brackets can't both be mounted at the same time (which is why he also sells a combined bracket). He said he doesn't have info on the FFR AC kit which is why I don't have a clear path.

[Papa]

This is how my accessory drive came configured on my BluePrint Engines 347.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84631&d=1524424334

Obviously, I don't have A/C, but thought you might be able to look at this and then look at some of the accessory bracket setups out there to gauge how best to configure your accessories. March does make a setup for PS and A/C that might be a good option for you.

Something like this may work:

https://marchperformance.com/ford-289-302-351w-ultra.html

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=160765&d=1642870315

[David Williamson]

On my Gen 3 coupe build I used a March bracket set with a right side mid mount compressor just like the picture posted above by Papa. The brackets that came from FFR were just cut steel, mounted the compressor in the PS pump location and did not look great. I wanted the compressor on the right side to eliminate hoses running over the engine and I wanted PS. I don't have the compressor model number but it was a very common one.
David W

[rhk118]

Subscribed. Like you John I have an ordered kit coming June 22. Going to run a 347 with T56 and 3.55 as well. Like you have basically ordered the AC/PS options with the kit, but thinking of going electric PS as sounds like these don't need a ton of assist and advantage is easier maintenance (although install may be a bear) and ability to dial power steering assist up or down.

Perhaps adding that will keep options open as to which side to install AC.

[JMo]

Thanks for all the help. I've decided to hold off on front accessories until I have everything in front of me. I really do prefer the way the March system keeps the AC compressor on the right like David Williamson mentioned. Also great point about the hoses having to cross the engine. that sealed it for me. So as soon as my kit shows up, and after I've waited for my likely backordered compressor to arrive, I'll probably get the March kit linked above. Knew you guys would get me sorted out.

rhk118 Curious where you are sourcing your engine/trans setup. I've also been trading electric vs. hydraulic. I have a bit to learn on electric but seems way cleaner if we can find a good place for it.

[bil1024]

Using March for my engine

[rhk118]

Thanks for all the help. I've decided to hold off on front accessories until I have everything in front of me. I really do prefer the way the March system keeps the AC compressor on the right like David Williamson mentioned. Also great point about the hoses having to cross the engine. that sealed it for me. So as soon as my kit shows up, and after I've waited for my likely backordered compressor to arrive, I'll probably get the March kit linked above. Knew you guys would get me sorted out.

rhk118 Curious where you are sourcing your engine/trans setup. I've also been trading electric vs. hydraulic. I have a bit to learn on electric but seems way cleaner if we can find a good place for it.

Hey John. My coupe arrives in June so a couple of months after yours....I am going "old school" and having a local performance engine shop build a 347 stroker for me from a 1974 302 block that saw limited miles and going to build it out from there. Literally starting the engine from the block. Like the rest of the world they are backed up right now, so they will clean it up first then let me know if it looks good to go. If good then we will build it with forged internals, likely AFR headers, Sniper EFI setup, and who knows what else (they figuring will land somewhere around 450 HP)...What goes on the front of it and where it ends up located will be a discussion I'm sure, but isn't something I know much if anything about, other than the names of the parts I can point out....so I'm really interested in doing it this way mostly as learning process for me as an opportunity to do and learn something I've always loved (engines) but never have been able to do until now. Pulling the thing apart alone just to get to the block was pretty fun to see how these pushrod/rocker engines tick. In the end, for better or worse, I want to experience a period specific engine in my life, the ones my dad used to drool over (and had in his mustang).

Transmission will be a T56 that will likely come from Forte (they relatively close to me) or American Powertrain with Quicktime bell housing (I think there is an aluminum one for a 302, don't quote me though) depending on wait times. Not going to order any of this stuff until I know the engine will come together.

Also I've heard that the Gen 3 coupe is built around the Coyote engine and the engine mounts are higher because of this. So will likely use "low profile" mounts to keep the 347 as low as possible. I have Gas-N polished side pipes ordered because those are just works of art, and will figure out the headers once I know the header outlet size (should be 3 inches) and which mounts I'm going to use. If the side pipes arrive way early in the build process I'm going to hang them on my garage wall just so I can look at them. :cool:

I will say I have committed to electric steering simply because I want very minimal assist and will keep the front of the engine clean. I think there is a good space in the drivers side dash closer to the "firewall" but will require a custom bracket and some welding. I'm not sure what that will do with placement of the fuse box as well as the hose for the drivers side AC vent and if that will make things too busy in there with gauges/wiring in there as well. But there is a lot of structure in the area to mount a bracket to. Several have done it and a forum vendor is working on said bracket, so hopefully that will be available when I'm ready for it.

Finally I think putting the compressor to the lower right of the engine will hide that as well and minimize the length of the lines to the AC unit in the passenger side of the dash, and not having to deal with power steering on the front of the engine. Looks like several forum sponsors make brackets like this - Forte, Levy Racing...etc.

[rhk118]

This is how my accessory drive came configured on my BluePrint Engines 347.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84631&d=1524424334


Drool papa, just drool....love it!

[John Dol]

161507

I used the March set up in black. Keeps the ac unit on the passenger side which makes the hose routing easier I think.
Also a 347 btw.

HTH

John

[rhk118]

OK so I'm in the same boat as OP on this thread....Been thinking about my engine build since my builder declared my 1974 302 block "pristine" and good to build a 347. I will be adding AC but not power steering...For the AC kit on the coupe...I'd like to just get the front of the engine configured and done, and it will be done before my kit arrives.

I contacted factory five about it and all I could get out of them was their compressor is for a "stock mustang assembly, and If you're not running that then you need to provide your own" then will decline providing any other details....so I assume with a 347 stroker that means I need to source a compressor that will work with my front end build, and just not use the compressor that comes with the kit correct? Planning on putting the compressor lower right of the engine...ie do I wait for the kit to get the compressor before building out the front of the engine or just build out the front of the engine and sell the compressor that comes with the kit?

[David Williamson]

I used the compressor that came with the AC kit from FFR and put it in a March bracket kit designed for Ford 289, 302 engines on my Dart 363. The compressor I received was a Sanden 7176. I have power steering with the pump high mounted on the left and the AC compressor mid mount on the right under the alternator.
David W

[Ltngdrvr]

OK so I'm in the same boat as OP on this thread....Been thinking about my engine build since my builder declared my 1974 302 block "pristine" and good to build a 347. I will be adding AC but not power steering...For the AC kit on the coupe...I'd like to just get the front of the engine configured and done, and it will be done before my kit arrives.

I contacted factory five about it and all I could get out of them was their compressor is for a "stock mustang assembly, and If you're not running that then you need to provide your own" then will decline providing any other details....so I assume with a 347 stroker that means I need to source a compressor that will work with my front end build, and just not use the compressor that comes with the kit correct? Planning on putting the compressor lower right of the engine...ie do I wait for the kit to get the compressor before building out the front of the engine or just build out the front of the engine and sell the compressor that comes with the kit?

Do everything on the engine except the front drive setup, then wait for the a/c kit from FFR to come in and finish it then.
As stated, the a/c kit will come with a sanden compressor, pretty much universal fit, just use whatever mounting brackets that come with your front accessory drive kit.

[rhk118]

I used the compressor that came with the AC kit from FFR and put it in a March bracket kit designed for Ford 289, 302 engines on my Dart 363. The compressor I received was a Sanden 7176. I have power steering with the pump high mounted on the left and the AC compressor mid mount on the right under the alternator.
David W


Do everything on the engine except the front drive setup, then wait for the a/c kit from FFR to come in and finish it then.
As stated, the a/c kit will come with a sanden compressor, pretty much universal fit, just use whatever mounting brackets that come with your front accessory drive kit.

Great! Thanks guys. Have time it turns out anyway, lots of engine parts backordered...

[JMo]

Thanks David. This is very helpful.

John