Serpentine conversion with electric fan - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Willis86 · 07-14-2010, 12:27 AM

I have a 86 C-15 with a 350 swap. Looking at doing a serpentine converion with donor parts from the junk yard. Been reading for bout an hour and I just got myself confused. So here are few questions I have after reading.

1. From one post I read I liked the 96-04 set up but is that 5.7 only or can I use a 4.3 also?

2. Water pump. Doing the BBC radiator swap that I got off of this site with the Jeep Grand Cherokee electric fan also from this site. So can I just buy a new water pump from the donor vehicle I find or do I still need a reverse rotation.

3. Can I use the same power steering pump as the donor vechile?

4. Was going to go with Four Seasons 161-58950 air compressor. Will this compressor work with the conversion?

Thanks for the help in advanced.

cableguy0 · 07-14-2010, 12:38 AM

Find a complete setup in the junkyard and use everything from the donor vehicle. You will need to use the power steering pump,alternator,and most will have an a/c compressor as well. The donor can be anything with a 4.3,5.0 or 5.7. Some of the vehicles are s10's and astro vans, caprices,camaros,roadmasters,trucks,vans suburbans etc etc etc. Just make sure you note which vehicle you took the setup from year/make/model because the parts are different from vehicle to vehicle.You have to use a reverse rotation water pump regardless of anything else. The serpentine setup spins the pump backwards so a normal pump wont push any fluid.The vehicle the serpentine setup comes off of will have a reverse rotation pump so whatever the vehicle is walk into the parts store and get a pump for that vehicle.

Willis86 · 07-14-2010, 12:48 AM

Thanks cableguy0

gchemist · 07-14-2010, 01:37 AM

Use a 454 aluminum radiator. Use a current multipath air condensor. A stock R12 condensor reduces efficiency. Close the gap between the radiator and condensor. Channel as much air as possible through the condensor then the radiator. You can use any small block setup. You can swap the power steering pulley and use your current pump. 96 Vortec and later systems have the compressor on the same side as stock. First decide which system you want, then we can help you with parts.

I run a early 90's nonsmog truck system.

07-14-2010, 12:27 AM	#1
Willis86 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Warner Robins, GA Posts: 10	Serpentine conversion with electric fan I have a 86 C-15 with a 350 swap. Looking at doing a serpentine converion with donor parts from the junk yard. Been reading for bout an hour and I just got myself confused. So here are few questions I have after reading. 1. From one post I read I liked the 96-04 set up but is that 5.7 only or can I use a 4.3 also? 2. Water pump. Doing the BBC radiator swap that I got off of this site with the Jeep Grand Cherokee electric fan also from this site. So can I just buy a new water pump from the donor vehicle I find or do I still need a reverse rotation. 3. Can I use the same power steering pump as the donor vechile? 4. Was going to go with Four Seasons 161-58950 air compressor. Will this compressor work with the conversion? Thanks for the help in advanced.

07-14-2010, 12:38 AM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	Re: Serpentine conversion with electric fan Find a complete setup in the junkyard and use everything from the donor vehicle. You will need to use the power steering pump,alternator,and most will have an a/c compressor as well. The donor can be anything with a 4.3,5.0 or 5.7. Some of the vehicles are s10's and astro vans, caprices,camaros,roadmasters,trucks,vans suburbans etc etc etc. Just make sure you note which vehicle you took the setup from year/make/model because the parts are different from vehicle to vehicle.You have to use a reverse rotation water pump regardless of anything else. The serpentine setup spins the pump backwards so a normal pump wont push any fluid.The vehicle the serpentine setup comes off of will have a reverse rotation pump so whatever the vehicle is walk into the parts store and get a pump for that vehicle. __________________ 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.

07-14-2010, 12:48 AM	#3
Willis86 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Warner Robins, GA Posts: 10	Re: Serpentine conversion with electric fan Thanks cableguy0

07-14-2010, 01:37 AM	#4
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Serpentine conversion with electric fan Use a 454 aluminum radiator. Use a current multipath air condensor. A stock R12 condensor reduces efficiency. Close the gap between the radiator and condensor. Channel as much air as possible through the condensor then the radiator. You can use any small block setup. You can swap the power steering pulley and use your current pump. 96 Vortec and later systems have the compressor on the same side as stock. First decide which system you want, then we can help you with parts. I run a early 90's nonsmog truck system. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos



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