Serpentine guys - what bracing do you use?
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: coffee
Serpentine guys - what bracing do you use?
I'm going to be running a serp system off of a mid 90's truck, and I realized recently that the factory setup on these trucks used a few external braces (alternator area to exhaust manifold, tensioner area to intake, etc).
Unfortunately, I didn't know this at the time that I bought mine, so I'm trying to work in a trip to the boneyard to source some to see what I can make work. I'm fairly sure that those that go to the TBI manifold on the trucks will not work on a carb manifold (but I'll grab them anyway if I find them).
Just wondering what those that are running a similar (or F-body based) system might have had success with so far.
Thanks.
Unfortunately, I didn't know this at the time that I bought mine, so I'm trying to work in a trip to the boneyard to source some to see what I can make work. I'm fairly sure that those that go to the TBI manifold on the trucks will not work on a carb manifold (but I'll grab them anyway if I find them).
Just wondering what those that are running a similar (or F-body based) system might have had success with so far.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
Nate,
I know what bracing you are talking about and I have not installed the serp system in my car yet. But I have a setup from a 1993 vortec V6 and it is exactly the same in bolt placement, accessory arrangement and bracing as the stock setup on my very original 1991 V8 chevy truck. You do have to drill an extra hole on the passenger side head for the bracket on that side, or at least I do in my 72. I know there's a reason the bracing is there but I think many have left it off. I am all ears on this one and hope someone with the same setup answers soon.
Sully
I know what bracing you are talking about and I have not installed the serp system in my car yet. But I have a setup from a 1993 vortec V6 and it is exactly the same in bolt placement, accessory arrangement and bracing as the stock setup on my very original 1991 V8 chevy truck. You do have to drill an extra hole on the passenger side head for the bracket on that side, or at least I do in my 72. I know there's a reason the bracing is there but I think many have left it off. I am all ears on this one and hope someone with the same setup answers soon.
Sully
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: coffee
I too have the old style heads (without the additional bolt holes) which is a primary reason that I want the bracing. I am not running a/c (using an idler), so the primary accessory load will not be there, but the alternator and PS pump are not trivial, I'm sure, and they are both on the driver side, so I definitely want to get that one done, and may get creative on the passenger side until (if?) I get an a/c system down the road.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
I got my serpentine set up from an 89 F body camaro. I used everything from that car alternator,power steering pump and A/C compressor and the harmonic balancer belt pulley and everyting including the support alternator to to exhaust manifold brace.Everything bolted right up. I also eliminated the smog pump pulley.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: coffee
I got my serpentine set up from an 89 F body camaro. I used everything from that car alternator,power steering pump and A/C compressor and the harmonic balancer belt pulley and everyting including the support alternator to to exhaust manifold brace.Everything bolted right up. I also eliminated the smog pump pulley.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
I actually also switched to a universal radiator hose. I did not like the factory hose that you viewed in the picture. It ran too close to the alternator and I was afraid if I broke an engine mount the engine would come up and the alternator or serpentine belt would rupture the hose. I bought auto zone's longest universal hose and it now runs behind the alternator.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: coffee
I actually also switched to a universal radiator hose. I did not like the factory hose that you viewed in the picture. It ran too close to the alternator and I was afraid if I broke an engine mount the engine would come up and the alternator or serpentine belt would rupture the hose. I bought auto zone's longest universal hose and it now runs behind the alternator.
I have basically the same thing with a swiveling water neck.
