Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it
Has anyone done a conversion without using a system like March or other "off the shelf" system. Here's the obvious things I know need to be done:
Reverse flow water pump
Idler mounting bracket and idler pulley (junk yard)
Pulleys for A/CC (need newer compressor?), Alternator (easy I presume), Power Steering (should be available), Crank (should be readily available)
Belt -- have to find one close and take up the slack with the idler
I have an electric fan system so I don't need to worry about that getting in the way.
Are there sources (inexpensive of course) for pulleys? can my old 73 style A/C compressor be converted? Or will I need to go with a more modern compressor?
Any thoughts?
John.
Reverse flow water pump
Idler mounting bracket and idler pulley (junk yard)
Pulleys for A/CC (need newer compressor?), Alternator (easy I presume), Power Steering (should be available), Crank (should be readily available)
Belt -- have to find one close and take up the slack with the idler
I have an electric fan system so I don't need to worry about that getting in the way.
Are there sources (inexpensive of course) for pulleys? can my old 73 style A/C compressor be converted? Or will I need to go with a more modern compressor?
Any thoughts?
John.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (john73bb)
Yes, use a stock '88 vette-up setup....and the older alternator fits with minor mods....airpump elim from Breathless Perf. is recommended....
the late comperssor works fine with earlier systems....
MAY need custom hoses though, probably not....unless you have that R4 junky compressor.....the older A6 type hoses should bolt up though...
GENE
the late comperssor works fine with earlier systems....
MAY need custom hoses though, probably not....unless you have that R4 junky compressor.....the older A6 type hoses should bolt up though...
GENE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '06
Father & Son St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (mrvette)
mrvette,
An 88 ac compressor will hook up without new hoses? And it's a good compressor?
An 88 ac compressor will hook up without new hoses? And it's a good compressor?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (mrvette)
I have the old, long compressor with the bolt in the back of it to pivot on. The one that makes changing spark plugs (the front 2) a real pain.
Converting to the newer one would probably be OK, since I am going to have to remove the old one since it has gone bad. I doubt NAPA will trade for the newer one on warranty, but I can try. My alternator is out of a Fleetwood (to get higher current) so getting a pulley for it should be as easy as going to the junk yard and removing one. How about the power steering pump? It has the big cast double V pulley on it now, can I find a pulley for it or will I have to make one?
Converting to the newer one would probably be OK, since I am going to have to remove the old one since it has gone bad. I doubt NAPA will trade for the newer one on warranty, but I can try. My alternator is out of a Fleetwood (to get higher current) so getting a pulley for it should be as easy as going to the junk yard and removing one. How about the power steering pump? It has the big cast double V pulley on it now, can I find a pulley for it or will I have to make one?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (john73bb)
IF you use a stock '88 up vette system, you need a reverse rotation water and steering pumps.......as they ride on the 'backside' of the belt....
now using another style system from an aftermarket source will probably be much more expensive....
I would use the stock setup, as its all bolt on and forgetaboutit.....
yes the '88 compressor style is a good one, works fine....I had to get custom hoses made, because my original hoses were trash....
but the style is so very close, and I know the compressor ends will work...
GENE
now using another style system from an aftermarket source will probably be much more expensive....
I would use the stock setup, as its all bolt on and forgetaboutit.....
yes the '88 compressor style is a good one, works fine....I had to get custom hoses made, because my original hoses were trash....
but the style is so very close, and I know the compressor ends will work...
GENE
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (Anar76)
It not that reversing rotation direction of the pumps make any differance in end product performance, it's the routing of the stock serp belt in thost era cars....
When I first looked into a serp conversion for my '72 SB, I discovered that 5-6 years ago anyway, most all aftermarket suppliers would NOT guarantee their systems to fit any specific car, so I remembered my '87, looked at '88 up systems in club members cars, and figgered they would fit,....it did......
so go to a vette junkyard and get the front end off a newer vette, should work fine....L98 that, is....I dunno/not sure about LT1 setup....I forget....
GENE
When I first looked into a serp conversion for my '72 SB, I discovered that 5-6 years ago anyway, most all aftermarket suppliers would NOT guarantee their systems to fit any specific car, so I remembered my '87, looked at '88 up systems in club members cars, and figgered they would fit,....it did......
so go to a vette junkyard and get the front end off a newer vette, should work fine....L98 that, is....I dunno/not sure about LT1 setup....I forget....
GENE
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Le Mans Master
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
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Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (john73bb)
Budman told me that a good source for complete serpentine systems is from Chevy/GM pickups. I've looked at my 94 pickup and it looks like it would be a no brainer to swap the stuff to the 'vette. Of course you'd have to verify water-pump and P/S rotation and make the appropriate changes.
I haven't checked with wrecking yards for availability of complete setups, but I bet it would be a small fraction of a March setup. It won't look as good, but it should work the same way.
I haven't checked with wrecking yards for availability of complete setups, but I bet it would be a small fraction of a March setup. It won't look as good, but it should work the same way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (Smokehouse69)
I'm not sure Big blocks are the same. I think March or S & P are the only sources for it, unless there is a late model truck with a big block. Maybe one of those SS454 trucks. I would go to the dealership and look at the detail sheets in parts.
As far as the conversion, it should be a no brainer. The later model PS pumps work great with the older racks. I only had to make on hose and it only set me back $15.00. I mounted the researve on the crossmember with a fabricated bracket. The most expensive part was a polished tensioner from S & P for the alt.
Good Luck
As far as the conversion, it should be a no brainer. The later model PS pumps work great with the older racks. I only had to make on hose and it only set me back $15.00. I mounted the researve on the crossmember with a fabricated bracket. The most expensive part was a polished tensioner from S & P for the alt.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (Budman78)
Thanks for all the help.
Looks like I should be able to do the conversion then. I'll start frequenting the local shopping centers (u-pull-it junk yards :lol:) looking for parts. I'll post how it went when I'm done.
Looks like I should be able to do the conversion then. I'll start frequenting the local shopping centers (u-pull-it junk yards :lol:) looking for parts. I'll post how it went when I'm done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (john73bb)
Pace Chevy now sells a kit for this - I do not know about its specific applicability to vettes but you might contact them.
They have picts of the system on their web page
from their web page:
http://paceparts.com/
They have picts of the system on their web page
from their web page:
This deluxe serpentine belt drive system with air conditioner includes all the components to install on small-block Chevrolet engines. The bolts, nuts spacers and braces are included with the following major items: 10055800 Secondary Air Injector pump bracket, 1134344 Air compressor assembly, 10129569 Idler belt pulley bracket, 88894005 Water pump kit, 10055880 Water pump pully, 10055879 Crankshaft pulley, 10463172 Generator assembly, 12117361 Generator connector, 10055798 Drive Belt Tensioner Assembly, 10085752 Belt, 10105212 Generator & power stearin bracket, 26010328 Power steering pump, 14102096 Power steering pulley..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (fauxrs)
It's for a small block. Parts of it might fit my car, but I don't wan't to pay that and then find it doesn't. I may call them.
Half the fun of working on these beasts is the "figuring out how to do it" part. I will try to build my own and then when I fail I will spend the money to buy a setup, or I will decide v-belts are really not that bad after all :) .
Half the fun of working on these beasts is the "figuring out how to do it" part. I will try to build my own and then when I fail I will spend the money to buy a setup, or I will decide v-belts are really not that bad after all :) .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (john73bb)
Check this site out. http://www.ss454.com
Loads of pics of SS454 Trucks engines with the Serpentine belt systems. It also looks line the A/C and the Alt are on the right side.
Loads of pics of SS454 Trucks engines with the Serpentine belt systems. It also looks line the A/C and the Alt are on the right side.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (Budman78)
Those guys are as crazy as corvette owners.
Yes, they do have similar configurations - although they are not nearly as space constrained. It looks like they are using the same PS pump as we have on our cars. I guess if they work they work. So, I should be able to find pulleys for it pretty easily. I will probably need to change out the A/C compressor though :( That looks like some work, and some more money.
Yes, they do have similar configurations - although they are not nearly as space constrained. It looks like they are using the same PS pump as we have on our cars. I guess if they work they work. So, I should be able to find pulleys for it pretty easily. I will probably need to change out the A/C compressor though :( That looks like some work, and some more money.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (john73bb)
Guys, I believe that truck engine is using a long water pump. If it is, it won't fit in a Vette. You would need to move everything, including the compressor, forward. I don't think it will physically fit without major work.
Check out the stuff from Zoops. http://www.zoops.com I'm going with their short pump serpentine setup and the smaller, more modern power steering pump.
-Joe
Check out the stuff from Zoops. http://www.zoops.com I'm going with their short pump serpentine setup and the smaller, more modern power steering pump.
-Joe
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (Flareside)
I would not use the long water pump, unless I could get a pulley with additional offset (might actually be cheaper to do that though). Since I am using electric fans, I could, but I think it will probably not cost much more to get a stewart reverse flow.
I'll take a look at the Autozone AC compressor and see how much work it will be to convert to that style. I can save the freon I have, and I do have a small stash of R12 somewhere too (stocked up before it became impossible to get -- it'll be my retirement now should I decide to sell it :) ). I think I can route the belt to allow for my standard rotation power steering.
I may have to build some spacers to get all the components at just the right forward spacing, but that shouldn't be too hard since they will no longer need to be adjustable.
I'll take a look at the Autozone AC compressor and see how much work it will be to convert to that style. I can save the freon I have, and I do have a small stash of R12 somewhere too (stocked up before it became impossible to get -- it'll be my retirement now should I decide to sell it :) ). I think I can route the belt to allow for my standard rotation power steering.
I may have to build some spacers to get all the components at just the right forward spacing, but that shouldn't be too hard since they will no longer need to be adjustable.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: Serpentine Pulley Conversion, anybody done it (john73bb)
Has anyone done a conversion without using a system like March or other "off the shelf" system. Here's the obvious things I know need to be done:
Reverse flow water pump
Idler mounting bracket and idler pulley (junk yard)
Pulleys for A/CC (need newer compressor?), Alternator (easy I presume), Power Steering (should be available), Crank (should be readily available)
Belt -- have to find one close and take up the slack with the idler
I have an electric fan system so I don't need to worry about that getting in the way.
Are there sources (inexpensive of course) for pulleys? can my old 73 style A/C compressor be converted? Or will I need to go with a more modern compressor?
Any thoughts?
John.
Reverse flow water pump
Idler mounting bracket and idler pulley (junk yard)
Pulleys for A/CC (need newer compressor?), Alternator (easy I presume), Power Steering (should be available), Crank (should be readily available)
Belt -- have to find one close and take up the slack with the idler
I have an electric fan system so I don't need to worry about that getting in the way.
Are there sources (inexpensive of course) for pulleys? can my old 73 style A/C compressor be converted? Or will I need to go with a more modern compressor?
Any thoughts?
John.
Here's my Street & Performance setup on the ZZ/502 (hope the pics are back)........