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Serpentine conversion questions?

Old Jun 7, 2017 | 08:05 PM
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Default Serpentine conversion questions?

got a 1987 TPI into the 1982 vette, trying not to break the bank with a serpentine setup.
thoughts on serp conversion? 
what troubles would i run into with the below on fleabay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-SBC-Serpe...dZLyVH&vxp=mtr
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 08:16 PM
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That's the same truck setup I put on my '79 carbureted. The TPI motor probably already has a reverse rotation water pump and a balancer, right? It looks like a complete bracket and pulley set with fasteners, just minus the accessories.

Last edited by SH-60B; Jun 7, 2017 at 08:18 PM.
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 11:09 PM
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Anyone install a spreader bar between the two towers while using a serpentine system?????

Bman
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by bmans vette
Anyone install a spreader bar between the two towers while using a serpentine system?????

Bman
There are many using different bars some DIY and some purchased. I made my own.

ZZ383 with GM kit for SBC.

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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 06:41 AM
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I used a setup from an 89 305 Firebird with the Firebird CS130 alternator, and ps pump. Bought a Victor JR reverse flow waterpump, 87 vette ac compressor, and March underive pully kit.

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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 11:23 AM
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Default that's beautiful....what are those braided hoses?

Very nice adaptation. Just curious what those braided hoses at the front of the engine are?
Did you mean "reverse rotation" for the water pump?
I considered doing this, but I'm quite happy with having the redundant belts. The tidiness is quite attractive though.


Originally Posted by MIKE80
I used a setup from an 89 305 Firebird with the Firebird CS130 alternator, and ps pump. Bought a Victor JR reverse flow waterpump, 87 vette ac compressor, and March underive pully kit.




Last edited by carriljc; Jun 8, 2017 at 11:25 AM. Reason: fixed spelling
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by carriljc
Very nice adaptation. Just curious what those braided hoses at the front of the engine are?
Did you mean "reverse rotation" for the water pump?
I considered doing this, but I'm quite happy with having the redundant belts. The tidiness is quite attractive though.
Thanks. Hoses are fuel lines going to the regulator, which then feeds the BG carb. I sold the TPI setup.

Yes, reverse rotation. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-8881
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by cagotzmann
There are many using different bars some DIY and some purchased. I made my own.

ZZ383 with GM kit for SBC.

Hey...thanks for the reply and the pic. I have a friend who built a few of the tower brace ends and then bought the rest of the pieces from Speedway.
Problem is it does not fit with the serpentine setup.
Yours obviously does.
I think it has to do with how far forward all the bracketry, water pump, etc comes out.
Txs again.

Bman
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 07:12 PM
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thanks all.. Having issues finding one from a vette, camaro, firebird
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Old Jun 9, 2017 | 04:58 AM
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This set up came with my engine package and the Idler pulley on the bottom left, I had to flip it around to keep it from rubbing on the A arm. and had to get a longer belt for it to ride on Top of it.
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Old Jun 10, 2017 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by busynick
got a 1987 TPI into the 1982 vette, trying not to break the bank with a serpentine setup.
thoughts on serp conversion? 
what troubles would i run into with the below on fleabay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-SBC-Serpe...dZLyVH&vxp=mtr

I did this on my 79, and used a setup off of a 92 Camaro. I got the basic pulley/bracket set off of Ebay for less that $150. However,more was spent on the alt, water pump, PS pump, and other additional parts - some of which was required, some of which was not. I didn't track all the costs.

The brackets basically bolted right up. This setup is exactly the same as the GM serpentine kit you can buy at Jegs or Summit. In the interest of full disclosure, the GM setup does require some adjustments - so expect some modifications to make all the parts come together. I would still do it again - none of these are big problems, just a list of "to-do's" that you may want to be aware of.

Here is a summary of what I dealt with:

•I switched over to the Camaro power steering pump (not required, I just needed a pump anyway and I got one with the correct pulley) - If you do this, take the inlet fitting from your old PS pump and put it on the new one, so your PS hoses still bolt up. Either steering pump will work. The C3 pump from a 79 will bolt into the Camaro bracket. You have to change the pulley. In my case, I found a pump for a camaro (with the pulley) so I just used that and swapped inlets.

•I had to experiment with water neck and radiator hose combinations to avoid rubbing on the belt. I found one that pointed straight forward from the intake and looked for a suitable hose at a local parts store.

•The lower rad hose is the stock hose, but required trimming and may sit tight against the lower cross member.

•You will have to convert to the later style alternator (CS130 or similar). I used a pre made pigtail from Summit to ease the conversion.

•I used the water pump for a 92 Z28.

•If you have AC, you may need a later pancake compressor; I was not able to convert my stock C3 pancake compressor to a serpentine pulley. Going with a later AC pump may also require an adapter to the older style AC hose block. AC specialists can set you up with an adapter. I called Classic Auto Air and they set me up with a washer/adapter kit that works well. If you don't have AC just run the AC delete pulley.

•The air pump delete pulley is not required, and I didn't use it. If you choose to run it. You may need to clearance the bracket and flip it over. The long straight run between the AC compressor and crank pulley has not given me any problems.

• I also had to reroute the fuel line - if you go with hard lines, will take a little massaging to ensure you don't rub anywhere. I still ran up the front of the block, but you have to work around the brackets so stock line won't work. Not hard, just took a little patience.

•Stock 92 Camaro pulleys all worked and cleared the crossmember - some claim you will need underdrive pulleys. I did not need to go that route.
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Old Dec 4, 2017 | 06:10 AM
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Default Serpentine Conversion on '69 350 Vette

I need information and advice on converting from V belt. I don't want to go the bright billet look, and cost. I only want to drive OE water pump and alternator. So I would need crank pulley, water pump pulley, alternator pulley and a tensioner pulley. And maybe a non adjustable alternator bracket. Does anyone have part numbers required, or even which historical vehicles had these parts? Thanks .
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Old Dec 4, 2017 | 06:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Ian Marshall
I need information and advice on converting from V belt. I don't want to go the bright billet look, and cost. I only want to drive OE water pump and alternator. So I would need crank pulley, water pump pulley, alternator pulley and a tensioner pulley. And maybe a non adjustable alternator bracket. Does anyone have part numbers required, or even which historical vehicles had these parts? Thanks .
And i want to keep the original engine driven fan, and alternator on driver side.
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Old Dec 4, 2017 | 08:13 AM
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The fan will spin backwards. It is on the water pump.
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Old Mar 6, 2018 | 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by redcruz1120
This set up came with my engine package and the Idler pulley on the bottom left, I had to flip it around to keep it from rubbing on the A arm. and had to get a longer belt for it to ride on Top of it.
Do you know the part number of the belt you ended up using? I’m having the same clearance issue. Looks like I’ll have to flip the pulley around
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Old Mar 8, 2018 | 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnnypegs

Do you know the part number of the belt you ended up using? I’m having the same clearance issue. Looks like I’ll have to flip the pulley around
That looks like the GM serpentine setup, or very close - same one I took from a 92 Camaro.

GM sells it as a kit, you can get it from Jegs or Summit - or scrounge ebay/junkyards/etc. and probably get it much cheaper. In either case some minor modification or tweaking is required for our cars (see my earlier post)

Relative to the pulley issue - I run without it altogether, as do several other forum members. I have not had a problem or heard of anyone having one yet.
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Old Mar 8, 2018 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnnypegs

Do you know the part number of the belt you ended up using? I’m having the same clearance issue. Looks like I’ll have to flip the pulley around
The Belt that came with my GM Kit was "GM 88986814"
97.24 in.

The napa part # 25 060980 is what I used when I reversed the one pulley. 98.64 in.
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Old Mar 8, 2018 | 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by cagotzmann
The Belt that came with my GM Kit was "GM 88986814"
97.24 in.

The napa part # 25 060980 is what I used when I reversed the one pulley. 98.64 in.
Ok thank you, so no belt change was needed for slipping the pulley?
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Old Mar 9, 2018 | 12:09 PM
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I have a roller 350 L98 heads, and a modified LT1 injection....many years ago when it was a L98 injection, I got a serp setup off an 88-91 vette had the hoses made up by an a/c shop here in Florida....back 20 years ago it was less than 150 bux....no bets today......I kept the OEM style p/s fluid res.....even with the switch to rack steering winter 01-02.....and then a little later the conversion to HB brakes.....I have the OEM '72 p/s pump valving in inside the serp pump.....

I also have dual spal fans, aluminum rad, and a cross support, it has plenty of room.....

see pix below......
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Old Mar 9, 2018 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnnypegs

Ok thank you, so no belt change was needed for slipping the pulley?
No the orginal GM Belt is to short. The Napa part which is longer ~ 1.5" which I used once I reversed the 1 pulley.
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