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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Pleasanton, TX
Posts: 1,723
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Why serpentine?
I see alot of guys here upgrading to serpentine belt setup.
Is it just an asthetic upgrade so the engine bay looks more modern or is there performance to be gained by the upgrade? I'm curious. |
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#2 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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PROs
A couple ponies can be gained the belts last 75,000 miles or so in some ways they are easier to work on CONs Ugly kinda expensive need later model reverse rotation water pump metric fittings on some of the accesories |
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
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serpentine systems are self adjusting last a lot longer and dont shred apart at higher rpms like v belts do. my truck eats a v belt every 6 or 8000 miles but it sees 6000rpm++ a lot.but no maintenance is the best reason for using a serp belt and you dont gotta replace it for 60k miles
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Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
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#4 |
go cyclones
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 1,885
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I doing it so I can swith over to a newer alternator (i know I don't need serpentine to do this). The belts are autpmatically tensioned, and though I am younger than many of the people on the board I have never seen a serpentine belt fray opposed to a v-belt. But mostly to do something a bit different and clean up my engine compartment
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Pleasanton, TX
Posts: 1,723
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Interesting
Thanks for the replies. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Louisville, Ky
Posts: 329
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We like shiny things.
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Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world. |
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#7 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,686
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Ive got a Serpentine Setup For My 85 But Its Steel Brackets I Like The Brackets I Have Mainly Due To The Fact That It Puts The A/C Comp On The Passenger Side Vs. Being On The Drives Side Like It Came Factory Makes More Sense To Me TO Have The Compressor Closer To The Lines And Is Alot Cleaner IMO
One Thing About The V Belts Is If One Comes Apart Chances Are You Still Have One Spinning The Water Pump. Last edited by 1972C10; 01-10-2005 at 05:57 AM. |
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#8 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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The belts are much wider on a serpentine setup, so they are not going to slip as easy, so they actually have less tension on the belt which is much easier on the accesories. It's more efficient because of less friction.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Center City, MN, USA
Posts: 3,254
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Talk to an old school guy. They think switching to a serpentine system is nuts. Their theory is that if your AC compressor freezes up you can't just cut the belt and keep on driving.
Good theory however in 20+ years of driving ac equipped cars I've never had a compressor seize.
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'70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Pleasanton, TX
Posts: 1,723
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Seems theres a couple different schools of thought here, I guess I lean toward old school for the reasons already mentioned. But I can see less tension on componants as a definate benefit.
I have had a compressor go bad, didn't seize up but the clutch started coming apart. Two minutes and a pocket knife later we were back on the road. I knew a guy in high school that lost a belt in the middle of no where, used a pair of pantyhose to make a belt and get home. Hey whatever works right? |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Farmersville, TX - Northeast of Dallas
Posts: 56
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Ok. Now why was he wearing Pantyhose.
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1967 Chevy LWB Fleetside 350/400 (Worn Smooth Out) Resto in progress It may be ugly but at least it's slow!! |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Corinth,TX
Posts: 444
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"serpentine systems are self adjusting last a lot longer and dont shred apart at higher rpms like v belts do". This statement always amazed me seeing that NASCAR still runs a v-belt and they are running 8-9k rpm all of the time....oh well to each his own
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 84
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Quote:
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1969 Chevrolet C-10 Bananamobile. Yes, it's ugly, yes, it's rusty, it's slow too, but no, I'm not trying to show it. |
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#14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
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gee NASCAR uses them thats wonderful but they are driving 500 miles and then changing the belts nothing matters they have deep @ss pockets so when the unbelieveably tight belt takes out the alternator bearing it doesnt matter because it never runs long enough with that part on it to wear it. on a street driven car serpentine is the best theres no way around it. if v belts are so great why did every auto manufacturer in the world switch to serpentine systems
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Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
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#15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
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and the main reason the "old" guys worry about the ac compressor seizing up is because the old ones didnt run for 3/4's of the year anything relatively newer gets cycled everytime the defrost comes on to stop the clutch from locking up and keep everything in good working order
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Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
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#16 |
go cyclones
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 1,885
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when I finally get my serpitine set up done I will make sure I have an extra belts that doesnt need to go around the compressor just in case it does seize up.
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#17 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Take it from someone who worked at a dealership. Alternators seize up about 100 times as often as AC compressors on late model GM vehicles.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#18 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Easy there fellows. Don't make me stop this car and seperate you.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
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lol sorry dad
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__________________
Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
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#20 |
Windy Corner of a Dirty Street
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Pueblo West, Colorado
Posts: 2,926
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I will take serpentine any day. I have converted my 78 K10 to serpentine twice….once when it had a small block and again when I swapped in the big block. I plan to do it on my 68' GMC as well.
A lot of people worry about the A/C compressor locking up and wiping the belt out. Well, if the A/C compressor does lock up, you very well may loose a serpentine belt but if the months and weeks of very audible bearing noise before the lock up did not get your attention then maybe sitting on the side of the road is well deserved. The newer model A/C compressor the more reliable they are. The 88’ – 95’ R4 compressors were the worst (compressor in my the first pic), but will still gave you plenty of warning before they totally lock up. The later A/C compressors are 100% more reliable. (compressor in the second pic) With serpentine you will get the minimum of 105 AMP alternator compared to a 63 AMP stock alternator for a pre-87 truck. The BB that I swapped in last summer runs 2000 model year L29 454 brackets and accessories with a 124 AMP alternator. I personally think the serpentine system gives a much cleaner appearance than V belts, give a cool whistle noise at higher RPM’s and allows for a much more efficient A/C compressor and alternator….but like anything…everybody has their own opinion. Some people on this board still think breaker ignition and carburetors are the way to go to…..so go figure.
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Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles
Last edited by DirtyLarry; 01-10-2005 at 11:35 PM. |
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#21 |
Where's my beer?
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 1,770
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mrein, I've had one sieze up, and I did exactly what you said, cut the belt. However, that was about 15 years ago and it woud'nt stop me from putting a serpentine belt system on if I wanted to in the first place.
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70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K |
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#22 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Center City, MN, USA
Posts: 3,254
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Quote:
Quote:
And for the record: I am NOT in the market for a serpentine set-up for my engine. But not because I'm worried about a component seizing up. I'm just going for the stock look under my hood.
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'70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 84
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ya know, at least 91-94, the Chevrolet serpentine belt system would still drive the alternator, power steering pump, water pump, smog pump, and everything else on the front of the engine even if the A/C wasn't in the loop. It wasn't very tight, and it would squeal at high RPMs, but more than enough to get you home. I lost two of 'em, and both times I followed the underhood diagram for running it without an A/C compressor. it was a bit loose, but it was enough to make it home. (once in a 91 -10, once in a 94 suburban)
I agree with Dirty Larry, though. If you listen to the bearings whine for that long, you deserve (as I did) to be walking.
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1969 Chevrolet C-10 Bananamobile. Yes, it's ugly, yes, it's rusty, it's slow too, but no, I'm not trying to show it. |
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#24 |
Got Big Block?
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: West Texas
Posts: 1,510
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I don't think it's ugly, but that's just my opinion. (Yes, I know it's not a TRUE serpentine setup.)
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"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." Last edited by Purs; 01-11-2005 at 03:41 PM. |
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#25 |
Windy Corner of a Dirty Street
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Pueblo West, Colorado
Posts: 2,926
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I don’t think serpentine is ugly either. It looks much cleaner to me.
Purs, you don’t have a serpentine system. You have a V-belt system running a late 80's multi-groove belt….still look good though.
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Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles
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