How Did You Finish Your Serpentine Brackets???

[es67chevy]

We bought a GM Performance serpentine setup for our truck and the aluminum brackets do not look the best. There are a lot of nooks and crannies in the brackets that make them hard to polish or paint, etc. So, what did you do to your brackets? Did you leave them as they came? Did you paint them? Powder coat them? Pictures are helpful if you have any. And any tips on what didn't work for you if results were less than satisfying.

Here is what our setup looks like mocked up without any finishing done to the aluminum brackets:

[JohnC]

I'm going to run the same brackets on my engine too, whenever I get them. I was either going to clean them up, and have them cleared with powdercoating, or paint them. I haven't decided on what color though. So I would like to see what people have done with theirs as well.

[es67chevy]

Yeah, and I've heard that powdercoating causes problems with moving parts. So could cause problems with the moving parts that are built into the brackets. Would love to confirm if others experienced that or not.

[JohnC]

I was just going to have the main brackets powdercoated. None of the pulleys, or tensioners.

[my67chevytruck]

I sanded, cleaned, primed, and painted my son's

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

I sanded, cleaned, primed, and painted my son's

Any pics of them?

[Tx Firefighter]

I've powdercoated several sets of them and they turned out very nice. I had to preheat them before coating though as the deep recesses will not take powder when they are cold.

[Fitz]

Powdercoat to match aluminum alternator housing & intake manifold.

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I've powdercoated several sets of them and they turned out very nice. I had to preheat them before coating though as the deep recesses will not take powder when they are cold.

Awesome. And no problems with the parts locking up that can't be taken apart?

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

I sanded, cleaned, primed, and painted my son's

Thanks for the pics. I bet it was a lot of work to sand every nook and cranny these things have. How long did it take ya?

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Powdercoat to match aluminum alternator housing & intake manifold.

Yeah, that's the color we were leaning towards. Glad to get a second opinion about that. Thanks!

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by es67chevy

Awesome. And no problems with the parts locking up that can't be taken apart?

If some part can't be removed from the component, just have the coater mask it off. Lots of folks don't realize it but powdercoaters can mask anything you ask them to. We use high temp tape that the oven doesn't bother and aluminum foil for more difficult or large areas. It's dead simple if your coater will go to the trouble.

But, on engine brackets like that, just remove the tensioner and idler pulleys and give it hell to all the solid pieces. Paint the delicate items to match. I'd not want to subject any bearings or seals to the heat.

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

If some part can't be removed from the component, just have the coater mask it off. Lots of folks don't realize it but powdercoaters can mask anything you ask them to. We use high temp tape that the oven doesn't bother and aluminum foil for more difficult or large areas. It's dead simple if your coater will go to the trouble.

But, on engine brackets like that, just remove the tensioner and idler pulleys and give it hell to all the solid pieces. Paint the delicate items to match. I'd not want to subject any bearings or seals to the heat.

Cool! Thanks for the tips. I had no idea you could mask off parts and still powdercoat.

[my67chevytruck]

Originally Posted by es67chevy

Thanks for the pics. I bet it was a lot of work to sand every nook and cranny these things have. How long did it take ya?

It took us awhile but ours was used. with your setup if you decided to have it painted, your could just clean with wax and grease remover, have primed. and paint it.

powder coat maybe the better option as its more durable than paint.... let us know what you decide.

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

I sanded, cleaned, primed, and painted my son's

How did you remove the power steering pump pulley? I've never removed a pulley before and not sure of the correct technique. The GM brackets came with the power steering pump already attached.

[Tx Firefighter]

You have to use a power steering pulley puller. They are pressed on.

[POPO1984]

I would go powdercoat

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

You have to use a power steering pulley puller. They are pressed on.

Ah cool. Thnx. Anything I need to be careful of in using one or is it pretty straightforward?

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by POPO1984

I would go powdercoat

Yeah, definitely leaning that way now if I can get it apart enough to have it done. Thanks!




Also, any other pics of painted or powdercoated serpentine setups will help!

[FLEET72]

Originally Posted by es67chevy

How did you remove the power steering pump pulley? I've never removed a pulley before and not sure of the correct technique. The GM brackets came with the power steering pump already attached.

Having the proper tools makes all the difference in the world.

OTC from Summit Racing


And the budget one from Harbor Freight

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by FLEET72

Having the proper tools makes all the difference in the world.

OTC from Summit Racing


And the budget one from Harbor Freight

Very cool! Thanks. Will have to run down to my local Harbor Freight.

[my67chevytruck]

I need to buy one from harbor freight as well. I borrowed one from the local parts house.....

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

I need to buy one from harbor freight as well. I borrowed one from the local parts house.....

Yeah, my dad and I talked about just borrowing one too. Guess you really only need it to pull it once and then press it back on once. Not sure what my odds would be that I would have to borrow it more than twice. Only $20 at Harbor Freight for one. Hmm....