Vintage air frontrunner question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: White Bear Lake MN
Vintage air frontrunner question
I am finding a lot of posts regarding the frontrunner serpentine system and some have had to modify the frame for it to fit. Does anyone know if the Frontrunner fits on a small block without frame interference?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 1,727
From: Summerville SC
Not sure about the frontrunner from Vintage, but I am in the process of getting things ready to install a serpentine system I took off a 96 Blazer. The only issues I found were 1) I plan on using a late model alternator 1 wire type and 2) the water pump had to be changed over to a short one, reverse flow. Putting elec fans on it anyway, so not a problem. AC hoses might require a re-design however. I have my fingers crossed that I measured everything correctly, twice!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: White Bear Lake MN
Not sure about the frontrunner from Vintage, but I am in the process of getting things ready to install a serpentine system I took off a 96 Blazer. The only issues I found were 1) I plan on using a late model alternator 1 wire type and 2) the water pump had to be changed over to a short one, reverse flow. Putting elec fans on it anyway, so not a problem. AC hoses might require a re-design however. I have my fingers crossed that I measured everything correctly, twice!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
I insalled one in my 80' about 10 years ago. I didn't know if it would fit or not I just went for it. It was one of the only aftermaket systems that has truely been a bolt on part. Didn't have to change anything, and thats with a pair of Turbochargers in the way. As far as the frame goes I didn't need to notch mine, but it was close. I have just enough room to get a new belt on. A small change in the Trans Mount might make the diffrence. Some people have had to notch the Frame. Since my Front Runner there have been a couple of upgrades to it. I doubt that they made the lower pulley further forward but I don't know. So I'm going to say that You probably won't need to change the Frame but I'd be ready to just in case. Since this is a weak point in C3's anyway I would run a Brace if You do. The Brace clears the FR just fine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: White Bear Lake MN
I insalled one in my 80' about 10 years ago. I didn't know if it would fit or not I just went for it. It was one of the only aftermaket systems that has truely been a bolt on part. Didn't have to change anything, and thats with a pair of Turbochargers in the way. As far as the frame goes I didn't need to notch mine, but it was close. I have just enough room to get a new belt on. A small change in the Trans Mount might make the diffrence. Some people have had to notch the Frame. Since my Front Runner there have been a couple of upgrades to it. I doubt that they made the lower pulley further forward but I don't know. So I'm going to say that You probably won't need to change the Frame but I'd be ready to just in case. Since this is a weak point in C3's anyway I would run a Brace if You do. The Brace clears the FR just fine.
Thank you this is very helpful and I am going to look into a spreader brace.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
I have a big block and so I had to notch my cross member for the crank pulley.
Here is a link to the front runner site showing the small block front runner dimensions so you can measure off of your engine with the dimensions off of your block to cross member to see if it will interfere.
http://www.vintageair.com/sbcfrntrnnr.asp From the measurements you need at least 6 1/4" off the front of block to the end of the lower crank pulley
Here is a link to the front runner site showing the small block front runner dimensions so you can measure off of your engine with the dimensions off of your block to cross member to see if it will interfere.
http://www.vintageair.com/sbcfrntrnnr.asp From the measurements you need at least 6 1/4" off the front of block to the end of the lower crank pulley
Last edited by mysixtynine; Jan 24, 2013 at 02:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: White Bear Lake MN
I have a big block and so I had to notch my cross member for the crank pulley.
Here is a link to the front runner site showing the small block front runner dimensions so you can measure off of your engine with the dimensions off of your block to cross member to see if it will interfere.
http://www.vintageair.com/sbcfrntrnnr.asp From the measurements you need at least 6 1/4" off the front of block to the end of the lower crank pulley
Here is a link to the front runner site showing the small block front runner dimensions so you can measure off of your engine with the dimensions off of your block to cross member to see if it will interfere.
http://www.vintageair.com/sbcfrntrnnr.asp From the measurements you need at least 6 1/4" off the front of block to the end of the lower crank pulley
Thanks. The problem I have is that I don't have the engine in the car. Does anyone happen to know what the dimension is between the front of the engine block and the frame for a '72 small block?
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