chadman

I will be starting the engine swap this week, also installing my steeroids rack and pinion. What pulleys and p/s brackets should I use? Try to find original bb setup or aftermarket? Will other chevy applications work or must the pump mount and pulley be corvette specific? I have elect fans no a/c. Suggestions please! Hope to be back up and running quick, weather is gorgeous! Too nice to have roadster down!


[Modified by chadman, 11:03 AM 4/3/2002]

69Myway

I installed the March Pulley dual serpentine system including a/c, power steering, and the 100 amp one wire alternator.

This complete set up was about $1,400 with the a/c compressor and required a long leg water pump. I ran the Spal fans from Dewitt and am very happy with them.

I think my web page is down at the moment, but check back often. I have a some pics of the brackets in there.

chadman

Thanks for the info, but price is definitely an object. I've shot my wad and need to do this on the cheap. When looking for bb p/s bracket and pulley, do they have to be corvette specific?

MELVIN

PS in a vette is specific to vettes. Other BB chevy mounts will not work.

You have probably found out SB alt brackets, AC brackets wont work either.

PS stuff (brackets) for BB's are available, as well as the other brackets. Ecklers/Zip may have them, but I would check Chicago Corvetes first, then try Paragon as a last resort if you cant find them. They aint cheap though

Dont forget the altenator mounting brackets, as well as the adjusting brace

Flareside

Sorry chadman, but as far as I can tell there is no cheap option :(

All the Corvette vendors sell the brackets you need, and they will all charge you a premium for them. Did you know that the PS brackets attach to the alternator brackets? Because of this, you need different alternator brackets as well when you install PS :mad When I priced this, it was around $400 for the OEM brackets, bolts, etc. through ZIP. For the same money you can get aftermarket billet aluminum parts, so it's mainly a personal preference.

You need a short water pump bracket system, so your options are limited. None of the newer GM stuff will fit. Zoops sells a complete V belt setup for around $475. March also sells them, as does Street and Performance. None are cheap!

Bob Turner

chadman,

I just dropped $500 for pulleys/brackets (p/s, alternator/water pump pulleys) to get a 454 in my '74. The order went out last night. I am converting it over from an L-48 mouse 350. EVERYTHING in this area is Corvette specific. I am using a '69-70 water pump pulley ($100.00) since the '71-'74 version is $245.00!!! :mad :mad

I used Paragon for the parts. It sucks spending that much but I knew that it had to be done right the first time right.

Bob :cheers:

69Myway

Chadman,

You can run a long leg water pump and explore brackets off of other chevy Big Block vehicles as long as you run an electric fan.

The March stuff was way expensive, but it looks soooooo cool!

Here is a pic when I was test fitting.



Here it is squeezed in with the radiator. As you see, a long leg pump fits just fine!

Flareside

Didn't you say you had to take a sledge hammer to the frame to make that fit :confused: :D You're right, it looks great!

69Myway

Yep, A big sledge hammer :smash:

I forgot to mention that, thanks for pointing it out.

However, if he popped for the $1,300 single serpentine conversion with the short let water pump, there would be not mods needed on the frame :D

MassVette

No cheap way.....but check the pulleys for early BB Camaros; these will fit, and are sold cheaper than the 'Corvette' ones. The 'short' water pump is the setup that aligns with the other BB 'Corvette' pulleys....If you're using a new steering system, then you don't need the Corvette-specific P/S pump. Again, the Camaro will probably do fine.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:

norvalwilhelm

The 1st time I did a bigblock swap I used all the pulleys and brackets from the donor car but could not run a mechanical fan but using a electric fan I had no problems. I presently run a short water pump and made the or modified the power steering brackets and made the alternator from scatch. I have only tossed one belt in 13 years

Fastguy

I used all the stuff for a 74 454 with PS and no AC. Its all available through all the mags. I am also running electric fans. Here is a list from an old e-mail of all the stuff I bought.

complete 1974 454 from a suburban with Edlebrock cam and lifters, Performer Intake(had to pull it) Ed carb, note:454's are externally balanced unlike a 427
short water pump
stamped steel dual crank pulley
stamped steel dual water pump pulley
dual cast iron PS pulley
alternator
2 brackets for alternator,
PS cradle bracket
2 bracket braces (these are pictured in most catalogs as they are taken right from the assy manual)
crank to WP to PS belt
PS to alt belt
upper and lower radiator hoses
new radiator
removed SB shroud extension
Comp Engineering poly lock motor mounts
Hooker Super Comp headers
Full dual exhaust from Steve ( nice fit, heavy gauge, aluminized, 5 year warranty)
Edelbrock Torker II intake, it is the ONLY aftermarket intake low enough to clear a stock hood. A low rise cast iron will fit as well as a 69 Vette aluminum intake
Fan
74 power steering pump, if the car is 75 or later
flywheel, must be a 454 not SB, 396 or 427
new clutch, PP TO bearing and pilot bearing
low valve covers to clear brake booster
air cleaner, drop base style
angle plug wires
throttle bracket
vacuum ports
heater hose fittings

the oil and temp senders screw right in
carb vacuum port for brakes screws right in
clutch ball screws right in
starter bolts up
bellhousing bolts up
I was able to re-use these parts and the distributor but that's about it.

Hope that helps.
George