copiercat

ive about given up , im building a pair of 540 merlin3's,for my 33 ocean express cat that i bought with out power, the problem is the none of the brackets i ordered fit properly, im trying to use a single serpentine belt system and i modeled it off the 502 magnum motor, however every one is wrong someway, ive reordered 3 times with the same result, any suggestions? i cant afford the teague or imco $5500.00 per motor deals , there has to be a better solution,, anyone have some brackets and accesories or know an answer i would be in your debt....
thanks
scott in sarasota fl

tcelano

Check out Hardin Marine's setups. I think they come in at around $2500 per motor for a really nice setup for serpentine and all accessories.

Vinny P

I recently upgraded from my stock 454 Magnum to a N.A. carbed 540 Dart block, AFR heads. I used all of the accessories from my 454 motor. Some needed minor modifications to fit, but it was no big deal at all. For instance, my 454 is a Gen VI and the 540 is a Mark IV. The timing chain cover is a bit wider on the 540. I had to modify the seawater pump bracket to clear. The oil filter and power steering pump bracket had to stretched to clear my Eickert 2 piece valve covers, which by the way, leak . The final outcome was that I still have the same set-up including the serpentine belt.

copiercat

thanks for some ideas! the sea pump bracket and power steering is some of the obstakles, but it seems like everything has to shimmed out , did you find this as well?

Vinny P

No. I didn't have to shim anything. Do you have to shim to get the belt aligned or just to clear obstacles? You have to make certain that the belt is perfectly aligned or it will wear out quickly or possibly blow off at high rpm.

copiercat

clearing obstacles seems to be the biggest problem so when i shim, all other things have to shim as well, so by the time im done ive got 1/2 in of shimming , this way i wont run! im ready to throw the whole #$@# thing away, but whats the answer? reasonably $

Stingray69

1) Is this a standard deck block? Tall decks moves head bolt holes higher.

2) Probably gonna be easier to use the multi-belt setup, and a lot cheaper(x 2).

3) Is water pump spaced out from block, moving pulley forward?

4) You must start by getting crank and water pump pulleys in same plane. Then add accessories.