C3 serpentine conversion
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: new orleans la
C3 serpentine conversion
i am thinking about doing a serpentine belt conversion on my 79, anyone done this? what kit did you use? i would like to keep my a/c...
thanks
[Modified by 79corvetteTPI, 10:13 AM 7/22/2003]
thanks
[Modified by 79corvetteTPI, 10:13 AM 7/22/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (79corvetteTPI)
The best and cheapest way to do it is get the parts from an '88 -91 vette, and they all bolt on....you may find a missing boss on pass head for one a/c bracket bolt, forget about it, and make sure you have an appropriate brace from one outer bolt end of the a/c compressor to the header bolts....
it's a realtively simple changeover....you can use a gutted airpump if you want...or a Breathless airpum eliminator kit....
GENE
it's a realtively simple changeover....you can use a gutted airpump if you want...or a Breathless airpum eliminator kit....
GENE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (79corvetteTPI)
I looked into this for my '69, but gave up because it seemed like it was going to be an expensive PITA (i.e. new, reverse rotation water pump, all new pulleys, "special" items (like your A/C pulley, idler location), etc.). Had too many other things to do....
I do like the looks and reliability, though!! I might consider it again if the V-belt setup aggravates me in the future!
[Modified by pws69, 11:04 AM 7/22/2003]
I do like the looks and reliability, though!! I might consider it again if the V-belt setup aggravates me in the future!
[Modified by pws69, 11:04 AM 7/22/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (79corvetteTPI)
Perhaps this is an ignorant question, but why would you want to do this conversion? It seems to me that the multiple belt system of old provides much more isolation of any single failure. If the A/C compressor siezes up, you can just cut the A/C belt and continue on with a functioning alternator, water pump, etc.
What are the benefits of going with the serpentine system?
What are the benefits of going with the serpentine system?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (sb69coupe)
Never worry about tensioning again.
Never worry about thrown belts again.
Only one belt to change and spring loaded tensioner makes it a 5 minute job.
I do agree though, if one component goes then you're kind of screwed.
Never worry about thrown belts again.
Only one belt to change and spring loaded tensioner makes it a 5 minute job.
I do agree though, if one component goes then you're kind of screwed.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: new orleans la
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (79corvetteTPI)
here are a few choices i found at gm parts direct, prices aren't that bad
with a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497698
without a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497697
bracket & pulleys only
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497869
with a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497698
without a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497697
bracket & pulleys only
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497869
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (79corvetteTPI)
Have you given any thought on Vintage Air's Front Runner conversion? I'm running March serpentine kit on my BB and I absolutely love it!
www.marchperf.com
www.vintageair.com
www.marchperf.com
www.vintageair.com
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: new orleans la
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (79corvetteTPI)
those billet sets are really expensive but very nice....
now i have another question about this setup
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...ATID=2475.html
will my 79 a/c connections connect right up to this compressor? how about the alternator?
[Modified by 79corvetteTPI, 1:52 PM 7/22/2003]
now i have another question about this setup
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...ATID=2475.html
will my 79 a/c connections connect right up to this compressor? how about the alternator?
[Modified by 79corvetteTPI, 1:52 PM 7/22/2003]
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (79corvetteTPI)
here are a few choices i found at gm parts direct, prices aren't that bad
with a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497698
without a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497697
bracket & pulleys only
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497869
with a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497698
without a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497697
bracket & pulleys only
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497869
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (pws69)
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497869
says it includes a water pump. I don't know if it is reverse rotation, but it says:
This base serpentine belt drive system includes bolts, nuts, bracket, braces, pulleys, and water pump to install on small-block Chevrolet engine.
says it includes a water pump. I don't know if it is reverse rotation, but it says:
This base serpentine belt drive system includes bolts, nuts, bracket, braces, pulleys, and water pump to install on small-block Chevrolet engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (Budman78)
So are you insinuating you used the kit listed at the URL? Did you have to replace your power steering pump and alternator, or did you just put the pulleys provided in the kit on? How about the water pump they give you, it fits? I'm assuming it isn't the short style pump that the corvette normally uses? Sorry, but for the price, I am highly interested in doing this as I'm guessing that I'll have nothing but trouble with my V-belts once I get my new engine in...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (dath)
I think there is a write up on http://www.corvettefaq.com about my set up. It's not the kit and consist of basis boneyard late model vette parts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (Budman78)
IF the parts are still available from GM, I would use the '88-91 vette setup and convert to the offshore comressor which fits the GM hoses directly...and the TPI vette water pumps.....get the complete set from a Vette junkyard, online is probably the easiest way to do this....buy the compressor and water pump new locally, and maybe use a Breathless air pump eliminator kit....
GENE
GENE
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Re: C3 serpentine conversion (79corvetteTPI)
I am in the middle of this conversion now. Reason: TPI set up and need for clearance. I am using the setup from an 85.. why, I can still use the R4 compressor and bolt up the connectors very easily. I have heard all of the negatives on R4's, but I want to retain. I bought the majority from Dino's Corvette Slavage BUT I woiuod go elsewhere as I recieved a broken bracket and he did not send me the crank pulley.
Easy swap and bolt patterns line up. Keep R4 A/c, BUT need to use newer style p/s pump with remote resevoir.. not a rwal problem. Myself or anyone else can walk you through it. Basic difference between this and 88-91 is the R4 Compressor.
March is expensive Yikes... After buying a few chromed peices.. pulleys upper alt bracket, etc.. total kit was about 500 but remember this is not a "kit" You will need to piece it together. You may be able tpo do it a bit cheaper, but this is still a whole lot chaeper than March. Budman has a nice system also.
Pics in sig don't reflect current project.
E mail if you have ?'s Be sure and put topic in your header!!
Good Luck.
Easy swap and bolt patterns line up. Keep R4 A/c, BUT need to use newer style p/s pump with remote resevoir.. not a rwal problem. Myself or anyone else can walk you through it. Basic difference between this and 88-91 is the R4 Compressor.
March is expensive Yikes... After buying a few chromed peices.. pulleys upper alt bracket, etc.. total kit was about 500 but remember this is not a "kit" You will need to piece it together. You may be able tpo do it a bit cheaper, but this is still a whole lot chaeper than March. Budman has a nice system also.
Pics in sig don't reflect current project.
E mail if you have ?'s Be sure and put topic in your header!!
Good Luck.
1980, 79, bb, belt, c3, converation, conversion, corvette, direct, gm, march, parts, performance, serpentine, serpinteen
