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Serpentine.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 967
Likes: 0
Serpentine.
I have a 350 in my 1973 corvette and was wondering if i could install a serpentine belt system from a tpi camaro to my 350. I know the water pump is different and i may have hood problems. Im wondering mostly about the water pump. Will a reverse rotation pump be okay on the 350 in my corvette? Will it still cool efficiently? I dont have ac and i see they make pulleys i can install to replace the ac compressor and smog pump. Will the crank pulley and power steering pulleys clear everything? If you have any input or pictures please let me know. Danka.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
With a reverse rotation water pump you will also need a reverse rotation fan and fan clutch unless you plan on installing electric fans. A Corvette will also probably require the short water pump or the pulleys won't line up. Most serpentine kits come with the long water pump.
I have a car I just installed the GM Performance serpentine system in (not a Vette) and needed a couple of modifications...the fan shroud needed to be notched in a couple of places and one spot on the idler wheel assembly needed to be ground a bit for clearance.
After it was all installed, that system with a reverse rotation fan (actually a bit deeper into the shroud) really moves some air! I doubt if you'll have any problems with respect to that if you do the swap.
Your car not having air should really help simplify the entire thing for you.
I have a car I just installed the GM Performance serpentine system in (not a Vette) and needed a couple of modifications...the fan shroud needed to be notched in a couple of places and one spot on the idler wheel assembly needed to be ground a bit for clearance.
After it was all installed, that system with a reverse rotation fan (actually a bit deeper into the shroud) really moves some air! I doubt if you'll have any problems with respect to that if you do the swap.
Your car not having air should really help simplify the entire thing for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
There's always something that comes up you never count on. Just deal with it as it happens. There's no issues that are insurmountable.
You already have no a/c...that eliminates the majority of your potential problems right there!
I don't know if the Camaro TPI system will place the accessories in the same positions. If so...you're golden. If you have to change locations of some stuff then the wiring will have to be modified to work.
If you buy a non-GM kit, get one that mounts all the accessories within the width of the heads and valve covers. That will make sure you have no hood clearance or inner fender clearance issues.
You already have no a/c...that eliminates the majority of your potential problems right there!
I don't know if the Camaro TPI system will place the accessories in the same positions. If so...you're golden. If you have to change locations of some stuff then the wiring will have to be modified to work.
If you buy a non-GM kit, get one that mounts all the accessories within the width of the heads and valve covers. That will make sure you have no hood clearance or inner fender clearance issues.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 967
Likes: 0
The serpentine stuff i am getting is off of a 1989 so it's a stock setup. Thanks for all the info. Has anyone else installed a factory kind of serpentine and know how well the balancer pulley and power steering pulley will fit? Pictures would be great.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
There are several on the forum that have used the Camaro/TA serp setup in some variation. Check Durango Boy's Vette pictures. The whole setup is usually available on ebay for under $150. Biggest drawback is using the longer reverse rotation pump instead of the Vette pump, When you start adding billet aluminum pulleys, 140 amp alternators, polished or chrome waterpump, etc. you are getting close to the price of the March, Zoop's, or Billet Specialties setups. I have pieced together a setup from a 90 C4 Vette. Uses the Vette short waterpump . Electric fans still required, and if you start cosmetic/performance upgrades, your still in March, Zoops price territory. The Vette brackets are lighter weight than the Camaro/TA setup, but they are both aluminum so not a significant difference.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
This 4.3 setup will not fit under a stock hood. I have an aftermarket L88 hood.
Here is an S series pickup/blazer 4.3 in my 73. Using electric fans to cool the 383. It runs cooler then my stock 77. I am trying a C-4 setup for the 77.
Last edited by Artsvette73; Mar 12, 2007 at 09:10 AM. Reason: m
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