Serpentine set up

[BIGBLU 72]

What are the advatanges of swapping to a serpentine setup? what would i have to change from the old setup and can i get one off a newer style vehicle?

[MARKDTN]

The serpentine systems look neat and can run a bigger alternator without slipping. You can get them pretty inexpensive from the TBI 88-95 trucks, vans, and B-body. Edited By staff The Corvette and F-body systems are also out there but they are more expensive. They are set up for air pump, but that is easy to bypass with a different length belt. They all use the short a/c compressor so you need a different a/c hose for a stock system. You may have to combine or have a custom high pressure power steering hose made or possibly change the fitting in the back, I think it depends on what year setup. They are all set up for a CS alternator so you will want to change to a CS144 (not a CS130) at the same time. They all use a water pump that turns opposite the original so you will need that, but they are only like $30 new.

[BOZO]

This serpentine setup (AC compressor, 100+ amp alternator, PS pump and water pump) came from a 4.3 liter V6 out of a wrecked 1999 1/2 ton pickup.
The AC compressor bracket had to be trimmed a bit and I had to run short valve covers. Of course the passenger side head has to be drilled and tapped because one bolt is not enough to hold the alternator bracket. You will also need a reverse rotation fan out of an Astro van or run an electric. I am very happy with mine. I took step by step pictures of my installation if anybody needs anything illustrated.

[Sammy]

Easiest way to upgrade is to go to the junkyard and get everything from the doner vehicle. And I mean take everything. Wp, Alt w/alt wire plug, PS brackets, bolts crank shaft, AC and the belt. Also upper n lower rad hose and even the upper thermo housing. If you don't need some of it at least you have everything in case you do. Also note the vehicle and the eng it was off of. ( I recommend using something from a sm block truck 88-95)Then get the Alt tested some place like Autozone for free on your way home.
Advantages: cleaner setup, upgrade of Alt Amps. Then the next step is to go to electric fans and you have an updated reliable system.

[BIGBLU 72]

dont have AC and never will so i think that i would be wasting my time with the set up, plus you loose the look of being able to see the heads and i like that look!

[vin63]

Originally Posted by BIGBLU 72

What are the advatanges of swapping to a serpentine setup? what would i have to change from the old setup and can i get one off a newer style vehicle?

The advantage comes when running several accessories (AC compressor, power steering pump, high amp alternators, etc.)...the serpentine drive systems usually require less tension and helps to free up parasitic loss from driving all of these accessories. If you're not planning on running AC, then I would stick with a more traditional V belt configuration.

[60ratrod]

there's a couple companies out there that offer a/c delete pulleys for someone who wants to remove the a/c or can't afford to repair the system.

[vasquezmrysvll]

ac delete pulleys are an over the counter part at your local parts house. cheap too.

[stich626]

the one belt saves water pump/atl/ bearings/bushings.. as you never get to over tight'n the belts..
cleans up the front of the engine..

[mikie 1954]

The bad is if one of the accessories goes bad[alt/ac/etc]you are DOWN, as there is only one belt for everything.

[BIGBLU 72]

Is it going to free up any hp or gasmilage to switch to this bc the motor I'm planning out is centered around vortec heads and a 60104 Voodoo bump stick so I'd like to gain something more than looks with the swap
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[60ratrod]

One other advantage to running a serpentine setup is you can run the underdrive pulleys which cut down on the drag and paracitic drain
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[BOZO]

If you are going to run Vortec heads the serpentine swap is much easier. You don't have to drill & tap the heads like you do with older heads.

[stich626]

Originally Posted by mikie 1954

The bad is if one of the accessories goes bad[alt/ac/etc]you are DOWN, as there is only one belt for everything.

????????????? how so..
unless it stopps spinning, an dead alt, is a dead alt, same with a/c or p/s

[benoit454]

if they lock up or you loose a belt.

I do not care much for them, I think v belt is alot cleaner looking setup, less things. The bracket for stock serp. setups are big and bulky and take up alot of space. Aftermarket's are nice, but the price aint.

The way I run ve belts is if you loose a belt or something you only loose alt. or ps. I always go crank, wp, alt, and the other is crank, wp, ps pump.

[cableguy0]

If something locks up you earned it. Bearings will make all sorts of raquet long before anything locks up. If there was a reliability issue they wouldnt be on every single vehicle produced at this point. A serpentine belt lasts longer is more reliable and requires no maintenance for the life of the belt. Theres no reason not to swap to a serpentine belt.

[mikie 1954]

I was driving back from the altamont pass in a work truck, 89 chevy 3/4 ton, when the altinater went bad and froze eating the belt. When that happen you are where you are. We managed to get it to a mall parking lot but it was like 1am so we called my wife to come get us and the co. macanic said he would fix it the next day when the store opened. So we were sitting there waiting when a female cop pulls up behind us with gun drawn, wanted to know what we were doing there. Will never forget that one.

[mustardjimmy71]

i had an 86 s10 jimmy 2wd 2.8 with 3 v belts running ac, smog pump, alt, ps. the water pump seized and cracked and the clutch fan went into the rad and chopped the belts. It wouldnt have made a difference if i had serpentine. I took the fan off and drove a few blocks home. sure noticed some power gain

[stich626]

Originally Posted by mustardjimmy71

i had an 86 s10 jimmy 2wd 2.8 with 3 v belts running ac, smog pump, alt, ps. the water pump seized and cracked and the clutch fan went into the rad and chopped the belts. It wouldnt have made a difference if i had serpentine. I took the fan off and drove a few blocks home. sure noticed some power gain

You are Correct Sir,
nothing will fix, looking the other way when a part is talking to you, telling you.. i'm on my way out..

[mikie 1954]

You are both right for about 99% of the times something goes wrong. This time there was two of us in truck and nether of us herd anything until the alternator froze, maybe a freak thing that happened but did.

[dfleming7]

Will 90-92 camaro serpentine setup work on my 69 chevy truck small block?

[BOZO]

Originally Posted by dfleming7

Will 90-92 camaro serpentine setup work on my 69 chevy truck small block?

Yes, as long as you have accessory bolt holes on the front of your heads.
An extra hole will have to be drilled and tapped, but its not that big a deal.