To Serp or not to Serp???

[irish1966]

Alright lads,
I have been pondering this question and I am hearing varying reasons why it is beneficial to swap to a serpentine belt setup. Is it just for looks or are there performance benefits? I won't be running A/C, but I will have P/S and not alot of electrical mods.

All comments accepted. I have an old school influence that says it's a complete waste of money and time. Is it?

Cheers
Irish

[vin63]

If you were planning on running a lot of accessories, then it might be worth it, but for what it sounds like you are going to run, any benefits from a lower tension pulley system and stability for a long belt would not translate into one extra accessory...that you can run an extra belt to drive.

Even if you ran A/C, you can do what my buddy did on his '66...

[irish1966]

Originally Posted by vin63

If you were planning on running a lot of accessories, then it might be worth it, but for what it sounds like you are going to run, any benefits from a lower tension pulley system and stability for a long belt would not translate into one extra accessory...that you can run an extra belt to drive.

Well, currently I have no extra mods, but maybe in the future I would have. I have a guy who wants to sell me everything off a 95 S-10 4.3V6 motor excl. the a/c compressor for $100. I do currently have the driver side alt setup and a wobbly bracket which I have to address. I'm thinking it will solve that problem and make the motor look that bit better. I believe it's a pretty easy mod and was trying to justify spending the few bucks on it.

Here's what I currently have under the hood.

[protrash64]

If you are not going to run a bunch of stuff dont do it. You could convert to a long water pump and brackets if you have holes for them. If you want a/c, then I would consider it but you can still get Alan Grove or something if needed.

I put a serp set-up on my 'burb 454 and it is a maze of metric and ASE fasteners. I had to rebuild some parts and then align the pulleys after it was assembled. I would have started with a new kit or done old school brackets if I had known the can of worms I was opening. Hey, just my .02!!!

[irish1966]

Originally Posted by protrash64

If you are not going to run a bunch of stuff dont do it. You could convert to a long water pump and brackets if you have holes for them. If you want a/c, then I would consider it but you can still get Alan Grove or something if needed.

I put a serp set-up on my 'burb 454 and it is a maze of metric and ASE fasteners. I had to rebuild some parts and then align the pulleys after it was assembled. I would have started with a new kit or done old school brackets if I had known the can of worms I was opening. Hey, just my .02!!!

Hmmmmm. So there is no benefit, except that of asthetics. I will admit that I do like the look of the serp setup but if i can change the bracket setup on my motor it would be alot easier and prob less expensive. Right now the alt braket shakes and I had planned on doubling the current bracket to stiffen it up, but I'd like it to look less ghetto, when the hood was opened. Any other cheap setups out there? Most of what I have seen are all passenger side alternator setups.

[pmkrew]

I have a serp set up from the late 80's or early 90's pickup and love it! if you have bolt holes in your cylinder heads it bolts right up, if no a/c you can pick up an ac delete bracket (about 20$) and run without ac and have the availability to add it later. Check with local junk yards, they usually let this stuff go with used motors so you might get a deal on one, it all bolts right on, only tedious part is pulling the p/s pulley and reinstalling it. Never sling a belt off again...

[Chevy Fleetside]

The first picture is going in my 65. it is a BB though with all the whisle. The 2nd pic is of the 66. It has a partial serp since I had one from a parts truck I bought. it is just a fatter belt running the Alt. I don't have any power steering in it yet.

[irish1966]

Originally Posted by pmkrew

I have a serp set up from the late 80's or early 90's pickup and love it! if you have bolt holes in your cylinder heads it bolts right up, if no a/c you can pick up an ac delete bracket (about 20$) and run without ac and have the availability to add it later. Check with local junk yards, they usually let this stuff go with used motors so you might get a deal on one, it all bolts right on, only tedious part is pulling the p/s pulley and reinstalling it. Never sling a belt off again...

I was going to go and get it in the morning from the guy. He has a junkyard and is selling the whole lot for a bill. So, all I will need is the delete pulley and it will be good. How many holes do u have on the pass head?

[irish1966]

One more ?.....

The SBC already has P/S. Will I be able to use the P/S pump from the 4.3 setup with the existing steering box?

[irish1966]

my buddy bill sent me this pic. I guess this is the S-10 setup.

[irish1966]

i guess this is the s-10 setup

[pmkrew]

1 bolt on the passenger head, with no load from an a/c compressor hould never be an issue. Power steering pump should be fine, maybe line issue? Make sure to get the bolts from him too, theyll help...

[pmkrew]

Originally Posted by irish1966

i guess this is the s-10 setup

That picture there has the a/c bypass pulley on it already...

[pmkrew]

help!/ mtormite p/n is 34152 wow, $31.99 that's gone up in the last 5 years...

[oldblue1968chevy]

I dont like the looks, unless you taking the whole truck on that style LS motor or something..

[irish1966]

Originally Posted by pmkrew

help!/ mtormite p/n is 34152 wow, $31.99 that's gone up in the last 5 years...

thx a million for the info. I called Baxters and they want $46. WTF!!!

[pmkrew]

Originally Posted by irish1966

thx a million for the info. I called Baxters and they want $46. WTF!!!

That price was from autozone.com for my local market...

also says it is eligeble for free 2 day shipping too..

[pmkrew]

I think before I put mine engine back into my truck I'm going to acid wash the brackets and then paint/ powder coat them black. It definitely is not the prettiest but it damn sure is economical and functional. Easy hook up for the late model alternator too!

[protrash64]

I lucked out on my power steering pump. It used the O-ring type fittings as opposed to a flared fitting. My steering box was 1980+ which matched the 1990 pump. If you get into a jam, I believe you can change the fitting on the pump to match your lines.

1980 was the year of change from flare to O-ring on the steering hoses.

[irish1966]

Originally Posted by pmkrew

I think before I put mine engine back into my truck I'm going to acid wash the brackets and then paint/ powder coat them black. It definitely is not the prettiest but it damn sure is economical and functional. Easy hook up for the late model alternator too!

thx man. Called Autozone and they have one local. $32.

[irish1966]

Originally Posted by pmkrew

I think before I put mine engine back into my truck I'm going to acid wash the brackets and then paint/ powder coat them black. It definitely is not the prettiest but it damn sure is economical and functional. Easy hook up for the late model alternator too!

For sure. If i'm gonna do it, it will be at least cleaned up nice before going in. I have a 2nd small block that I may mock everything up on and get it right before putting it in.

[irish1966]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I lucked out on my power steering pump. It used the O-ring type fittings as opposed to a flared fitting. My steering box was 1980+ which matched the 1990 pump. If you get into a jam, I believe you can change the fitting on the pump to match your lines.

1980 was the year of change from flare to O-ring on the steering hoses.

I have to look at my steering box. It leaked pretty bad when I got it, but I have another one that I can swap, but now I will def look at the fittings before doing the job. Do u have any pics of what I should be looking for? I presume the flared fitting will be pretty easy to spot the difference.

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by irish1966

I have to look at my steering box. It leaked pretty bad when I got it, but I have another one that I can swap, but now I will def look at the fittings before doing the job. Do u have any pics of what I should be looking for? I presume the flared fitting will be pretty easy to spot the difference.

Yessir.....flares look like any brake line or fuel line you have ever seen. The O-ring style have a tiny o-ring and look different. You will have to remove the lines to see....o-ring style are metric, also.

[blackedoutharley]

For a bit more money (once you add in all the hardware and belt ect of the serp system) you might consider this...

http://www.store.procompelectronics....oduct_id=36881

You can probably get it from Jegs or similar for less than the price shown from the mfg.

Cool alternative.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by irish1966

Hmmmmm. So there is no benefit, except that of asthetics.

The main benefit of a serpentine system is that it is able to run many accessories at a lower tension, which takes less horsepower to drive. Also, it is more stable for accessories that are mounted further away from the crank pulley. If you can make a late model system work, that would be great. As the others mentioned, be sure to grab all of the hardware and fasteners. Sounds like a great deal...and your idea of mocking it up on a spare engine is perfect. post some photos.

Here's a photo of my March system I cobbled together and modified to fit on my Pontiac...it was free, but it took a lot of effort and machining to work.