Serpentine for BB with AC
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,370
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From: Redondo Beach, California
Serpentine for BB with AC
Recommendations for a Serpentine belt system to install in my 1970 BB? It has AC, PS, ...and the usual water pump and alternator. The AC compressor may be an extra problem since I will be installing tall valve covers for roller rockers. So far I've looked at the GMPP Serpentine for BB's, the March side mount system and front mount, and Billet Specialities Tru Trac front mount. None of them are very specific about fitting into a C3, particularly my 70. Seems like to avoid the compressor/valve cover issue, a front mount would be a good idea, but I don't know if it pushes all the equipment too much to the front of the engine compartment to fit. I won't be using a fan shroud. (electric fans).
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
Well you're already set up for electric fans so that helps. I can tell you that if you get a set of small block F-body serpentine brackets and an adapter kit, that it'll all fit under your hood.
The adapter kit is simply a set or brackets that bolt to the block, and the small block serpentine brackets bolt to those. You use the long big block water pump off of a GenV or GenVI big block. You can re-use your power steering pump, and then all you need is a CS alternator, a smog pump delete idler pulley, and either an A/C compressor or an A/C delete bracket and pulley.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Big-B...QQcmdZViewItem
I don't know what the GMPP big block serp kit includes but if it
s just GenV and GenVI brackets then I don't think that'll fit under your hood.
The adapter kit is simply a set or brackets that bolt to the block, and the small block serpentine brackets bolt to those. You use the long big block water pump off of a GenV or GenVI big block. You can re-use your power steering pump, and then all you need is a CS alternator, a smog pump delete idler pulley, and either an A/C compressor or an A/C delete bracket and pulley.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Big-B...QQcmdZViewItem
I don't know what the GMPP big block serp kit includes but if it
s just GenV and GenVI brackets then I don't think that'll fit under your hood.
Last edited by Durango_Boy; Apr 22, 2008 at 06:36 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 220
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From: Oakdale Ca
Odd, the Ebay'er says TPI brackets won't work...only the truck brackets. I wonder what's the difference, I'm 99.9% sure (having owned both) that TBI and TPI F-Bodies both use the same serp setup, I don't see GM making a different one for trucks?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I missed that, but I know why. The truck and V6 serp brackets actually sit about .5" closer to the block than the F-body brackets. In order for the accessories to line up with the use of the mounting kit AND the stock big block pulleys, the serpentine brackets must be the closer of the two.
They are the same ones I have for sale in parts. Also below is a pic of the F-body crank pulley and the truck and V6 pulley, and you can see the distance change.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1986726
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 220
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From: Oakdale Ca
Hmmnn...wonder why the general would cast'em like that...seems it'd have beem easier/more cost effective to use the same one.
Anyway, that's good info, so I wonder how thinck the stuff is the ebay'er has, and if it's be just as simple and making the same parts 1/2 inch thinner and using F-body brackets?
Another question (might be relevant to the post) when did BBC's come out with all the accessory holes? I have a '70 LS5 also (in my '57) I've always wanted to do this to.
Anyway, that's good info, so I wonder how thinck the stuff is the ebay'er has, and if it's be just as simple and making the same parts 1/2 inch thinner and using F-body brackets?
Another question (might be relevant to the post) when did BBC's come out with all the accessory holes? I have a '70 LS5 also (in my '57) I've always wanted to do this to.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Anyway, that's good info, so I wonder how thinck the stuff is the ebay'er has, and if it's be just as simple and making the same parts 1/2 inch thinner and using F-body brackets?
Another question (might be relevant to the post) when did BBC's come out with all the accessory holes? I have a '70 LS5 also (in my '57) I've always wanted to do this to.
Another question (might be relevant to the post) when did BBC's come out with all the accessory holes? I have a '70 LS5 also (in my '57) I've always wanted to do this to.
As far as the adapter kit, it's already about .5" thick, which seems just thick enough to bolt to the block, thick enough to accept bolt threads, yet thin enough to keep a stock bracket set within tolerances.
A skilled fabricator could probably make their own based on the images, but to be honest, a bit over $100 isn't a bad price for that kit.
I don't recall when big blocks started getting those kind of brackets...maybe late '90's when they had a combination of V-belt and serpentine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
I installed the Zoops system on my 496BB, I also tried the March front mount but the tension pulley hit the cross member so I sent it back. The wide mount March will fit with out mods, but I am not sure about the valve covers, it will put the A/C comp just about the factory spot. I had to notch the cross member to make the Zoops system work.
Neal
Neal
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,370
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Big-B...QQcmdZViewItem
I don't know what the GMPP big block serp kit includes but if it
s just GenV and GenVI brackets then I don't think that'll fit under your hood.
I don't know what the GMPP big block serp kit includes but if it
s just GenV and GenVI brackets then I don't think that'll fit under your hood.
I did buy the adapter kit from the ebay refence just in case I need the parts. As you said, they're not expensive.
I like the price of the GMPP Serpentine kits, but the plastic idler pulley and steel pulleys are kinda ugly. On my SB, I replaced the crank, PS, Alternator, and water pump pulleys with March pulleys. But I'm still stuck with an ugly plastic AC delete pulley and idler pulley.
I like the looks of the Billet Specialties Tru Trac front mount system for a BB. The compressor sits in front of the valve cover, so tall valve covers will be OK. The Tru Trac is a pricey $2400. I'll call to see if it fits a C3. Anyone know?. The bling of the Tru Trac is really good.