77 454 C20 with chronic alt belt issues

[jdpavek]

I have a short water pump 454, power steering but no ac. I put a heavy duty alternator on, which seems to fit the bracket and all just fine. However, I keep getting worn shredded alternator belts thrown. I found some advice on aligning the pulleys but also came across a reference to hybrid pulley system that GM ran on some 454's in the 80's. The way I understood it, it seems as if the crank pulley has two sheaves, one with a v-belt for the power steering and one serpentine for the alternator. Does anyone know if this is true? Does anyone know, or care to guess, if I can convert to such a hybrid system? I have looked at March Performance conversion kits but for a short water pump 454, they only offer a single belt system that would cost about $650.

More than anything, I am looking for reliability. Is there general agreement that a serpentine system is hands down the most reliable?

Any comments, advice, like experiences, etc. would be appreciated.
Thank you very much.
--jd