Standard Water Pump vs Serpentine Conversion
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
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From: Austin TX
Standard Water Pump vs Serpentine Conversion
The serpentine conversion I'm into typically calls for a reverse rotation water pump. I currently have a very nice chrome standard rotation pump that I'd like to use.
I have been told that running a standard rotation pump backwards only loses about 5% efficiency and that I can use my standard pump with a serpentine pulley.
Any opinions on this?
[Modified by flynhi, 5:09 PM 1/15/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 5:57 PM 1/15/2003]
I have been told that running a standard rotation pump backwards only loses about 5% efficiency and that I can use my standard pump with a serpentine pulley.
Any opinions on this?
[Modified by flynhi, 5:09 PM 1/15/2003]
[Modified by flynhi, 5:57 PM 1/15/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: DFW TX
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St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Standard Water Pump vs Serpentine Conversion (flynhi)
I wouldn't try that. You can pick up a used one at Uptmors in Waco for nothing or maybe reverse the impellers.
Le Mans Master
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
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Re: Standard Water Pump vs Serpentine Conversion (flynhi)
Will,
I just changed the waterpump on my truck with a serpentine belt. It had clockwise or standard rotation waterpump on it and the belt system turned it clockwise.
I did some measurement and I think that the 1987-1995 serpentine system used on Chevy 5.7 trucks would work on a C-3, as long as you were running electric fans. The only close place was at the front crossmember, with the crank pulley. As close as I could measure it looked like it would clear by about 1/2" Of course this would require going to a long water pump and early C-3's would have to change to a rotary or Sanden type compressor.
Do you know if anyone has tried to use one of these truck serpentine systems in a C-3?
I just changed the waterpump on my truck with a serpentine belt. It had clockwise or standard rotation waterpump on it and the belt system turned it clockwise.
I did some measurement and I think that the 1987-1995 serpentine system used on Chevy 5.7 trucks would work on a C-3, as long as you were running electric fans. The only close place was at the front crossmember, with the crank pulley. As close as I could measure it looked like it would clear by about 1/2" Of course this would require going to a long water pump and early C-3's would have to change to a rotary or Sanden type compressor.
Do you know if anyone has tried to use one of these truck serpentine systems in a C-3?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 37
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From: Greer SC
Re: Standard Water Pump vs Serpentine Conversion (Smokehouse69)
I used parts from an '88 and '92 Camaro, but I looked at a '90 Suburban also. The Camaro had an AIR pump, which ended up being located inside the passenger side upper control arm. Therefore, I removed it. I'll have to fabricate a bracket to take up the belt slack with an idler.
When I looked at the Suburban, it had an idler already in place and no air pump. I was concerned about the height of the AC compressor and hood clearance, and that's why I went with the Camaro parts. Looking back, I think the truck brackets would actually work fine.
BTW - The Camaro water pump is reverse ROTATION, not reverse flow. I think it was less than $50 at NAPA, with no core charge. It fit my stock lower hose with only a little trimming on each end to get the right length.
When I looked at the Suburban, it had an idler already in place and no air pump. I was concerned about the height of the AC compressor and hood clearance, and that's why I went with the Camaro parts. Looking back, I think the truck brackets would actually work fine.
BTW - The Camaro water pump is reverse ROTATION, not reverse flow. I think it was less than $50 at NAPA, with no core charge. It fit my stock lower hose with only a little trimming on each end to get the right length.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
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From: Austin TX
Re: Standard Water Pump vs Serpentine Conversion (LT1driver)
I'm making the conversion to go to a Sanden AC compressor and to clean up the engine bay. I've also read that serp belts are easier on the bearings of accessories.
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Re: Standard Water Pump vs Serpentine Conversion (flynhi)
It sure makes it easier to work on the waterpump and individual accessory components, when you don't have to pull three belts off to change one belt. Installing a serpentine belt is a pleasure because it only takes about 5 minutes to do and as Will said, it cleans up the engine compartment considerably.
I changed my water pump on my truck and it took no more than 10 minutes to pull the old pump, because I had no accessory brakets or extra belts to remove.
I changed my water pump on my truck and it took no more than 10 minutes to pull the old pump, because I had no accessory brakets or extra belts to remove.
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