Serpentine setups..info please

[pcmcobra]

went to my local napa, and the counter guy acted like he was not even interested in helping me look for a hose, alot of sighs and shrugs. Asked about making ac hoses and he really did not answer my question, just gave me a bunch of fluff and pointed me to a couple different ac places, I just walked out, what a turd that guy was. Don't have time or patience for that kind of service.
I am going to check a couple more places maybe this weekend and see what turns up.

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

Thats weird, I had a 90 half ton chevy with the 350 and it had the aluminum brackets, not the crappy steel ones. I git it new so I know it wasnt swapped.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by 72C203503ONTHETREE

Thats weird, I had a 90 half ton chevy with the 350 and it had the aluminum brackets, not the crappy steel ones. I git it new so I know it wasnt swapped.

I think 88, or maybe 88 & 89 were the only years they used those crappy steel brackets.

[piecesparts]

Look at O Reilly's, they also have hoses---In my area, maybe yours too. Sorry about the counter nerd ( and I mean this in a nice way---If he doesn't know his parts or his local suppliers, then he is of no great use to the customer) doing you that way at NAPA.

[pcmcobra]

I actually got 92 firebird hoses from oreilly's, they were close, but low side was too long and would kink, and the high side I had to turn a little bit to hook up to dryer, again, kink. I got discount auto to order me hoses for a 91 FS blazer w/out rear air, they should work, I hope.

[liljon285]

Yes i heard my bracket was crap because my engine will bend it but it its unique!

[Cherub]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

Here are the 4 different SB serpentine bracket systems to be found in the bone yards. The 4.3L V6 used the same brackets.

1) ’87 – 91’ stamped steel brackets. These are the least desirable as they are notorious for braking causing weird noises and belt squeaks. These are junk....don't buy them (First picture)
2) ’92 – ’95 aluminum brackets. (Second picture) GM also sells these brackets in kit form. GM part number 12497698 and goes for around $700. (Third pic) The down side to these brackets is you have to use the crappy R4 A/C compressor.
3) ’96 – ’04 (yep, the 5.7L was still around in 2004) These are good brackets as well and allow for the much more reliable Delphi A4 A/C compressor. These are the best in my opinion. (Fourth pic)
4) F and B body car brackets. I have a picture of those at home that I can scan in this weekend.

I was looking up information on starting this conversion (option 3) but in the pic provided It looks like the A/C compressor and altenator are switched to what i have now. Is this going to be a problem?

[DirtyLarry]

Cherub,

Good choice…. The 1996 - 2004 are the best small block brackets in my opinion.

I am not sure I understand your question…

If your A/C compressor is currently on the passenger’s side you will need to have new hoses made to relocate it to the driver’s side, which is no big deal as you will need a new A/C hose header anyway in order to use the new Delphi compressor. Moving the alternator is no big deal either and usually doesn’t require any rewiring…only rerouting and an end connector change.

[Cherub]

Thanks larry that answered my question

[staggerd86c-10]

im glad i saw this tread im looking to do a serp. kit for my truck and im looking for something cheap. I spent 2gs on the serp kit for my caprice but i dont want to spend that on a beater/daily driver/cruiser. what are you guys paying for these kits around where your at, im in miami and if you go to a junk yard they ask somewhere from 400-500 bucks but i think its a rip if you can find them from jegs for a tad bit more and its brand new! pcm you live in miami?

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by staggerd86c-10

im glad i saw this tread im looking to do a serp. kit for my truck and im looking for something cheap. I spent 2gs on the serp kit for my caprice but i dont want to spend that on a beater/daily driver/cruiser. what are you guys paying for these kits around where your at, im in miami and if you go to a junk yard they ask somewhere from 400-500 bucks but i think its a rip if you can find them from jegs for a tad bit more and its brand new! pcm you live in miami?

For that kind of money, you can go to Scoggin Dickey or Street and Performance and buy a new setup. I purchased a Camaro serpentine set of brackets and belt from S&P a couple years ago for about $300.00. After I added a new Edelbrock reverse rotation water pump then I was close to the $400.00

[Fer79]

5.7 1990 burban engine

[lurch115]

for those that don't really care weather or not they have A/C LMC sells the "dummy pulley" bracket and pulley for like $35 i think it is...it takes place of the A/C pump and pulley...

[East End K5]

here's a fng question,,,what benefit does a serpentine setup do for an older engine?

[pcmcobra]

well, you get the "benefit" of a single belt system. Which I prefer.
You can also run some later model equipment, like newer ac, and alt. Not sure if there is a benefit to that, it would all depend on how you look at it.

[East End K5]

so basically giving you only one belt to worry about then...no engine efficiency huh?

[pcmcobra]

well the efficiency I got was getting rid of clutch fan and going with some electric fans.
And I could not really tell a difference. Mine's a weekend cruiser, so efficiency is not part of my equation. Maybe some others can chime in and give you a better answer?
Good luck.

[piecesparts]

Single belt design does not really gain efficiency unless you do like pcmcobra above and loose the clutch fan. I gained at least 1 MPG with electric fans on my 91 truck (it already has a serpentine setup). The looks do improve over the older style belt systems and there is more aftermarket goodies for the serpentine setup designs. However the setback is: a broken belt and you don't go anywhere PERIOD.

[BUDDY]

Well, this is all some great information, but I still have a question in regard to the serp setup I have. It's from a 1996 S-15 Jimmy with a 4.3L V6. My problem is with the water pump.

What other year/model trucks would I be able to get a water pump that will work with the pulley that came on that truck?

It seems as though the pulley bolt pattern is a little different than what is normal & it also has the "snout" for the screw on fan that comes with those trucks.

Does anybody have an interchange for that?

Thanks,
Buddy

[Palf70Step]

Just buy the waterpump for the for a 88-94 V8. It will work.

You do have to watch the crank pulley. Some of the V6s use the same lower pulley as the V8s, some do not. I do not have the part numbers handy at the moment though.

[BAGNDRAGIT]

sorry if i missed it in the thread, does anyone know where to get the a/c delete pulley for the serpentine setup?

Thanks

[ShowSS12]

I think I read some where on page 3 that LMC dose..

[jholley]

Here is one, but I've seen them all over e-bay and elsewhere cheaper

http://www.moderndaymuscle.com/inc/sdetail/431

[MylilBowTie]

Goto Rockauto.com and lookup the vehicle that your serpentine setup is from. Then look at the Heat & Air Conditioning tab then look at the A/C Compressor Bypass Pulley tab.

There will be the a/c delete pulley and for pretty cheap usually. 27.79 vs 75.49 and some of the difference is dorman vs ac delco.