serpentine belt system
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
Advantages are somewhat subjective IMO. I prefer the serpentine just because it cleans up the engine bay and you don't have to mess with adjusting the alt or AC unit to keep the tension correct. One belt drives everything and it clean. Easy to change too.
AS for where to get one - I sourced a '92 Camaro serpentine setup (brackets and pulleys) from ebay for my small block. The same setup is on the same year firebird.
I really like it, but it is not "plug and play" - There are some modifications you will need to perform:
I think I have roughly $400 in my setup including buying a pump, alternator, and the belt. Obviously this depends on how you choose to source parts.
And there are always aftermarket systems that require fewer mods, but are likely to be more out-of-pocket cost.
AS for where to get one - I sourced a '92 Camaro serpentine setup (brackets and pulleys) from ebay for my small block. The same setup is on the same year firebird.
I really like it, but it is not "plug and play" - There are some modifications you will need to perform:
- You may need longer power steering hoses (In my case, I preferred to get longer hoses because I have steeroids and it made the connections easier; I called them to order their longer big block hoses)
- If you use the camaro/firebird PS pump, you will probably need to change the fittings where the hose connects to the SAE threaded one
- With the GM setup, the alternator should be a CS130 or similar case, which leads to a one-wire conversion (you can buy a pigtail to convert from summit/jegs)
- Upper rad hose routing took some experimentation. I went to a local parts store and they let me look through thier hoses till I found one that had proper bends and would fit
- What thermostat housing you use will depend upon the routing of your upper rad hose. Tackle these two together. I used on that points straight ahead and used a hose that points forward to the rad with a 90 degree bend to get over to the radiator inlet
- You need a reverse rotation water pump (if you go the same route as I did, get the Camaro/firebird pump, it will bolt right up).
- The lower water pump hose is the stock one, but is just a tight fit
- The biggest deal for me was the AC compressor - I found a suitable pancake compressor but had to call someone like hot rod air or vintage air to get fittings to make my old AC hoses bolt up and seal.
I think I have roughly $400 in my setup including buying a pump, alternator, and the belt. Obviously this depends on how you choose to source parts.
And there are always aftermarket systems that require fewer mods, but are likely to be more out-of-pocket cost.
Last edited by cooper9811; Jan 26, 2016 at 07:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I have an '88-91 Corvette serp setup did it some 20 years ago, Carlisle parts as I recall, the total with a new water pump ran some 200 bux....you really want to use the newer compressor, and not those crappy R4 units the rebuilds on them are just gross..
I bought an airpump eliminator kit, but that is something easy to make, I just had to get rid of that silly airpump I used a 17SI alt, larger diameter, and 108 amp rating '79 Caddy Seville uses them, defogger option.....
Dual spal fans and aluminum rad from a '89 F body V8....Engine has FI on it, it's a 350 roller engine....
I bought an airpump eliminator kit, but that is something easy to make, I just had to get rid of that silly airpump I used a 17SI alt, larger diameter, and 108 amp rating '79 Caddy Seville uses them, defogger option.....Dual spal fans and aluminum rad from a '89 F body V8....Engine has FI on it, it's a 350 roller engine....
