Serpentine belt system

[78BO]

Hey guys, so I'm going to change over to a serpentine belt system because I'm tired of messing with these belts. My question is what year model car/truck do I look for? I have a 383 (standard 350 block) but it has a 85 year model 1 peace rear main 400 crank.

I know someone has to have done this swap, what all do I need to look out for?

Thanks
Bryan

[Meatman]

Probably looking at like 88 or 89 to like 98? Dont know off top of my head for sure. You can also get the same setup of a 3rd camaro or firebird. I know for a fact that it would be 88-92 if you looked on those.

[thehitchmaster]

you said you have a stroker motor. does your heads still have all the acc. holes?

[78BO]

Originally Posted by thehitchmaster

you said you have a stroker motor. does your heads still have all the acc. holes?

I'm not sure. It's got Vortec heads on it. I know all of my old brackets hooked up.

Hey G, my son will be going to his Moms Wed. Maybe we'll meet up one day this week so I can get a closer look at your system.

[gchemist]

Hey Bryan,
Hit me up. I have a few parts laying around for ya.

Look for any 90-95 truck parts. Truck parts will not have a smog pump option. My truck runs on a 96 Blazer setup.


You can use an A/C delete pulley for the compressor.

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by gchemist

...looks like the belt is installed incorrectly.

[gchemist]

Originally Posted by 87chevy.com

...looks like the belt is installed incorrectly.

??????


Hey, I can get the serpentine brackets to you this week. I'm free after Tues.

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by gchemist

??????

basically there isnt enough belt on the crank pulley... if you have any/a lot of ower good change your gonna have belt slip... heres a picture from alldata. you could also tell from the pictues of my setup how it goes around the a/c alt, ps and w/p.

as far as why you need a new water pump its becuase with a serpentine belt setup, the water pump spins the opposite direction... the water pumps are sometimes called reverse rotation pumps..

[gchemist]

Originally Posted by 87chevy.com

basically there isnt enough belt on the crank pulley... if you have any/a lot of ower good change your gonna have belt slip... heres a picture from alldata. you could also tell from the pictues of my setup how it goes around the a/c alt, ps and w/p.

as far as why you need a new water pump its becuase with a serpentine belt setup, the water pump spins the opposite direction... the water pumps are sometimes called reverse rotation pumps..

Oh yea, I was scared for a moment. The picture was taken during motor installation. I changed it when everything was buttoned up. I wondered why the stock belt was too short.

[78BO]

Originally Posted by gchemist

??????


Hey, I can get the serpentine brackets to you this week. I'm free after Tues.

PM me your number. I'll call you Wed. If I can get a factory set up done cheap I'll go that route. But I don't have ac so I don't know what it will look like.

[cableguy0]

The gm factory system comes with all bolts and brackets as well as a new water pump,new alternator and a power steering pump. I believe the system is in the 600 dollar neighborhood w/o a/c and a bit more with

[staggerd86c-10]

you can use a serp kits from almost any motor, even the 4.3 s10s and astros.

[78BO]

Originally Posted by staggerd86c-10

you can use a serp kits from almost any motor, even the 4.3 s10s and astros.

I guess one of the things that worry me is the crank pulley. I know the flywheel for a 400 is different then a 350. But I can't remember if the pulley is. I thought it was. That's why I was wondering which one to use.

[staggerd86c-10]

the only thing that i beleive is different is the balancer, but when you change the serp kit you have to change the crank pulley and all the pulleys in that case, and you will have to change your waterpump too.

[gchemist]

There is a V6 and V8 pulley. I had to change my 4.3 setup to a V8 crank pulley. Everthing else bolted up. Check your heads. If each head has three holes in it, your can bolt on the brackets. All the other holes are on the block.

[78BO]

Originally Posted by gchemist

There is a V6 and V8 pulley. I had to change my 4.3 setup to a V8 crank pulley. Everthing else bolted up. Check your heads. If each head has three holes in it, your can bolt on the brackets. All the other holes are on the block.

I'm pretty sure they have 3. They are cast heads. From what I remember, when talking to Marshal engines (the builder) they used early vortec heads and early to mid 80's crank.

[87chevy.com]

I grabed a set of brackets off of a 90 ish camaro v-8... modified them of course to fit a big block, but heres some pictures of the brackets installed

[78BO]

Well I don't know what I'm going to do yet. If every thing goes right I might have enough for a nice set up from March.

[spinem]

what if you lack accessory holes in the heads??? what then? pics!?

[scotts62]

Ouch, March is proud of their stuff looks really good though.. i like the factory setups plus its cheap

[71STPSDE]

I have the same Blueprint engine that you have. I bought the Serpentine belt system straight from GM. It fit with no problems.

[kelsfine69]

Why do you have to change the water pump? Do you need the new A/C compressor too or just the A/C lines?

[78BO]

Originally Posted by 71STPSDE

I have the same Blueprint engine that you have. I bought the Serpentine belt system straight from GM. It fit with no problems.

Do you have a link for their system? I wonder if it's cheaper then the March system I'm looking at (349)?

[71STPSDE]

Here is the one I bought. Like was said above, you have to use a reverse rotation water pump. So the really nice waterpump that comes with the motor can't be used. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12497698/

[kelsfine69]

Well I guess im gonna keep the old belts cause I just put a new pump on 3 months ago... Should of done more research then I guess..