big block serpentine drive
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Highland Village texas
big block serpentine drive
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 looked at this kit, the thing that had me concerned was how tall the AC and Altenator were. Was not sure it would clear the hood.
There was a thread a little while back were a member had installed this kit and checked the hood clearance and it was fine.
I don't remember who it was.
His car wasn't on the road yet but the engine was installed.
Doesn't say if this kit is a short or long pump, ,may need to find that out.
Neal
There was a thread a little while back were a member had installed this kit and checked the hood clearance and it was fine.
I don't remember who it was.
His car wasn't on the road yet but the engine was installed.
Doesn't say if this kit is a short or long pump, ,may need to find that out.
Neal
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
You can use a small block set up for less money..
You have to fabricate a few brackets or buy the conversion off ebay for about $130. I got the serp brackets, AC comp, PWS pump and alt for $200 from the local bone yard.
You have to fabricate a few brackets or buy the conversion off ebay for about $130. I got the serp brackets, AC comp, PWS pump and alt for $200 from the local bone yard.
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 commented on a system for a BBC due to that was what was selected within the link provided.
If it is for a SBC than it will work just fine as many here have installed them.
Neal
If it is for a SBC than it will work just fine as many here have installed them.
Neal
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 650
Likes: 1
I have the March Serpentine system on my SBC. The A/C compressor and alternator are swapped. I had clearance issues with my A/C compressor hitting my shock stud and upper control arm. Not good! Everytime I went over a big bump, the belt ripped and flew away. Solved that by cutting a few inches off of the shock stud and switching to Vette Brakes upper tubular control arms. There will be bugs, but now that I've suffered through them, I love the set-up. The passenger side of the engine compartment has halla room and the drivers side engine access is not much different with the A/C compressor there. My A/C is the new Vintage Air conversion so the A/C compressor is smaller which makes it somewhat similar in size to the alternator. You will probably have better luck with a factory serpentine system. I've got a low clearance big block hood (1970) with absolutely no clearance issues. Hope this helps some. Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
That system looks great. Seems from other posters it can be done relatively cheap with some mods. It seems no matter what one you go with you have to mod it to fit the vette.
I have the Front Runner from Vintageair.com. Its very expensive but comes with all the accessories and brackets. It also keeps all of the accessories in front of the motor (nothing hangs over the valve covers or protrudes out past them).
I did notch my crossmember so that the crank pulley would not come close to it. I also had to indent my power steering pump for clearance by the control arm mounts.
I have the Front Runner from Vintageair.com. Its very expensive but comes with all the accessories and brackets. It also keeps all of the accessories in front of the motor (nothing hangs over the valve covers or protrudes out past them).
I did notch my crossmember so that the crank pulley would not come close to it. I also had to indent my power steering pump for clearance by the control arm mounts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,368
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
I bought the Small Block serpentine kit to use, with the adapter brackets, on my Big Block. I don't think you want the Big Block Serpentine kit sold in the GM Performance Parts catalog. The brackets are CAST IRON and very heavy. The Big Block Serpentine system weighs a total of 105 pounds. The Small Block with it's aluminum castings is much lighter. About salvage yards...the GM Performance Parts Small Block Serpentine System was what was installed on 1990 and 1991 Camaros and Firebirds and very similar to Serpentines on other GM Small Block engines.
I replaced my crank pulley, PS pully, water pump pulley with March aluminum pulleys. I used a slight underdrive crank pulley from March. I think the Serpentine kit crank pulley is too large in diameter. Their crank pulley is one sold for a BB Chevy truck underdrive set up. I bought a Edelbrock reverse rotation aluminum pump to replace the kit long cast iron pump.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Feb 8, 2010 at 05:21 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,368
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,368
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
The March BB Serpentine kit requires you to cut a hole in your frame crossmember to clear the crank pulley. The March kit is big $$$ and they wouldnt consider making a smaller diameter crank pulley for me. As I mentioned in another post in this thread, they do sell a small crank pulley for a Chevy truck BB underdrive set up, but that pulley won't fit on their Serpentine system !!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Leander TX
The March BB Serpentine kit requires you to cut a hole in your frame crossmember to clear the crank pulley. The March kit is big $$$ and they wouldnt consider making a smaller diameter crank pulley for me. As I mentioned in another post in this thread, they do sell a small crank pulley for a Chevy truck BB underdrive set up, but that pulley won't fit on their Serpentine system !!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,368
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Is your engine a Big Block? If it's a Big Block, I wish I would have know about this a few months ago. Best I can tell the engine in the photo is a Small Block.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,368
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Why don't these customer advisors KNOW what they'll selling. Same with Edelbrock, I had maybe $20,000 set aside to fix up my 68. I was interested in one of their crate engines, maybe $8000 or more. They tech advisor got annoyed when I asked them if it'd fit under a 68 Corvette Hood...I had both a SB and BB hood available. He said he didn't know. Since I had my 70 also to fix up, I just bought a ZZ4 for the 68.
I have similar anecdotes for other vendors.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
Funny I was just looking at installing a spreader bar last night.
I can tell the welded spreader bar from VBandP wont work.
I am going to buy the un-welded spreader bar and then turn the attachment points that get welded 90 degrees and move it as far forward as possible. Should work.
If not I will have to make up my own plate to install on the control arm studs that allows me to move the bar further forward.
I can tell the welded spreader bar from VBandP wont work.
I am going to buy the un-welded spreader bar and then turn the attachment points that get welded 90 degrees and move it as far forward as possible. Should work.
If not I will have to make up my own plate to install on the control arm studs that allows me to move the bar further forward.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Leander TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
I've done this too! I bought the adapter brackets from the ebay seller. I can't seel that he's still selling his adapter brackets.
I bought the Small Block serpentine kit to use, with the adapter brackets, on my Big Block. I don't think you want the Big Block Serpentine kit sold in the GM Performance Parts catalog. The brackets are CAST IRON and very heavy. The Big Block Serpentine system weighs a total of 105 pounds. The Small Block with it's aluminum castings is much lighter. About salvage yards...the GM Performance Parts Small Block Serpentine System was what was installed on 1990 and 1991 Camaros and Firebirds and very similar to Serpentines on other GM Small Block engines.
I replaced my crank pulley, PS pully, water pump pulley with March aluminum pulleys. I used a slight underdrive crank pulley from March. I think the Serpentine kit crank pulley is too large in diameter. Their crank pulley is one sold for a BB Chevy truck underdrive set up. I bought a Edelbrock reverse rotation aluminum pump to replace the kit long cast iron pump.
I bought the Small Block serpentine kit to use, with the adapter brackets, on my Big Block. I don't think you want the Big Block Serpentine kit sold in the GM Performance Parts catalog. The brackets are CAST IRON and very heavy. The Big Block Serpentine system weighs a total of 105 pounds. The Small Block with it's aluminum castings is much lighter. About salvage yards...the GM Performance Parts Small Block Serpentine System was what was installed on 1990 and 1991 Camaros and Firebirds and very similar to Serpentines on other GM Small Block engines.
I replaced my crank pulley, PS pully, water pump pulley with March aluminum pulleys. I used a slight underdrive crank pulley from March. I think the Serpentine kit crank pulley is too large in diameter. Their crank pulley is one sold for a BB Chevy truck underdrive set up. I bought a Edelbrock reverse rotation aluminum pump to replace the kit long cast iron pump.