Convert to serpentine?

[Skunksmash]

Is it worth it to convert to a serpentine belt system? If so, what are the benefits?

[Axle]

Can't think of any benefits.
I've got both kinds, I personally tend to favor the v-belt.

Alex.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Easier to switch belts, and the tension on them is better. The way the belt works for some reason provides more grip. I think it is due to the full width of the belt being on the pulley vs what a V belt has.

Also they worth about 3-5 horsepower.

[DREAMER1]

And looks cleaner

[Skunksmash]

There is one advantage to the V-belts. I've had one of them break and was still able to limp home. Not going to happen with the serpentine lol

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by DREAMER1

And looks cleaner

I'd like to see a clean looking one. Every one I have seen has big jahonkin brackets on it hiding the beautiful engine. I think I may have seen a nice low mount system from March Perf but it was spendy.

[gchemist]

Easier to convert to a Saden A/C compressor!! I run a serpentine belt system on my ZZ4. Looks modern and works great.

[squarebodied]

serpentine belt has more tension due to the way its routed around the pulleys. serpentine belts don't retain as much heat as a v belt because of the wider and thinner design. serpentine setup doesn't throw belts like the v belt setup.

[Axle]

I've never melted a vbelt.
I've only thrown a vbelt when I ignored it and left it on for longer than I should have.
Serpentine belts are not immune to slipping.
Run what you like.

I drive a square, why would I be concerned about looking "modern"? ;-)

Alex.

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by Axle

I've never melted a vbelt.
I've only thrown a vbelt when I ignored it and left it on for longer than I should have.
Serpentine belts are not immune to slipping.
Run what you like.

I drive a square, why would I be concerned about looking "modern"? ;-)

Alex.

Exactly......

[Skunksmash]

Originally Posted by Axle

I've never melted a vbelt.
I've only thrown a vbelt when I ignored it and left it on for longer than I should have.
Serpentine belts are not immune to slipping.
Run what you like.

I drive a square, why would I be concerned about looking "modern"? ;-)

Alex.

I was more concerned with better technology than looks. Thus far it seems like it could go either way.

However, they did eventually stop making the Vbelt setup. I would be interested to know why. IIRC, they started putting serpentines even on the TBI trucks of the 90's. Might could use those brackets since they were factory, and not have it looking all cluttered up.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

IIRC, they started putting serpentines even on the TBI trucks of the 90's. Might could use those brackets since they were factory, and not have it looking all cluttered up.

This is the set up off around a 89 Chevy truck installed on my 76.

[bigd65]

They look good, Ive had both.but I aint going through that again.... not that it was a hassell, just just more stuff to spend money on

[Skunksmash]

Originally Posted by JWall

This is the set up off around a 89 Chevy truck installed on my 76.

That is very clean. But what is that think in the middle? Between the AC compressor and the alternator.

Also, is there a kit? Where did you buy your setup? Without having to spend a whole lot. In my experience, junkyards don't really like to sell engine parts. They like to sell whole engines. Most of the time, they won't just sell you parts of an engine. Now that could just be my experiences. But I've gotten this answer before "If I sell you that I'll never be able to get rid of the rest of the motor"

[Mr.Chevy4x4]

Easy to do, no belt slippage, and I like the fact that the A/C hoses don't have to cross over the engine. I'm gathering the parts now to do my '87 K5. I put serpentine on all of my square bodies in the past.

Mike

[gchemist]

Look for a 92-95 truck setup like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-5-...r#ht_22wt_1145

The right bracket on trucks doesn't have a spot for smog pumps. The bracket is cleaner and smaller. V6 systems work but the crank must be a V8. I have a V6 system on my truck. I had to buy a V8 crank pulley to fit my ZZ4.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

That is very clean. But what is that think in the middle? Between the AC compressor and the alternator.

Also, is there a kit? Where did you buy your setup? Without having to spend a whole lot. In my experience, junkyards don't really like to sell engine parts. They like to sell whole engines. Most of the time, they won't just sell you parts of an engine. Now that could just be my experiences. But I've gotten this answer before "If I sell you that I'll never be able to get rid of the rest of the motor"

That is the belt tensioner.

We pulled the set up of a truck at a pull-a-part salvage yard.

My set up is the 88-89 style. There also is an aluminum bracket available for in the 90-95 GM trucks.

There's more info on serpentine systems here... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=627951

[Mr.Chevy4x4]

That is the spring loaded belt tensioner. All of the parts are factory GM from late 80's early 90's trucks. 4.3L and small block V8 brackets are the same. Most pull-a-part kind of places don't care what you pull as long as you pay for it.

[Mr.Chevy4x4]

The setup in my picture is actually from a tuned port camaro or firebird. It moves the tensioner over out of the way of the throttle body inlet.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

There is one advantage to the V-belts. I've had one of them break and was still able to limp home. Not going to happen with the serpentine lol

+1 Spare V belts take up a lot of space and there's more than one. Spare serpentine belts are compact and there's only one.
+2 You can swap a serp on the roadside or the parts store parking lot in 1-2 minutes with just a breaker bar and there's no tension adjustment to screw up.
+3 The alternator can be changed in about 5 minutes and again there's no tension adjustment.

-1 The brackets etc are bulky and cover up the engine.

[squarebodied]

Originally Posted by Axle

I've never melted a vbelt.
I've only thrown a vbelt when I ignored it and left it on for longer than I should have.
Serpentine belts are not immune to slipping.
Run what you like.

I drive a square, why would I be concerned about looking "modern"? ;-)

Alex.

heat dissipation of serpentine belts has nothing to do with "melting belts". it is to keep engine temps and under hood temps cooler for more optimal engine conditions. That is why they switched from v-belt to serpentine belt setups from the factory.

Also, if were to do the serpentine swap, you should stay away from the early 90's chevy setups that were a one piece bracket. they have been known to crack and are bulky and heavy.

[gchemist]

The engine can look like it's on fire.

[Skunksmash]

Now that i've had a better look at it, that is some big 'ol bracketry. I could do without the big in-your-face belt tensioner as well. Maybe there is some way around that. Like using a different tensioner somehow.

[jjzepplin]

Got one of mine on this site with a steering pump,and rebuilt alternator (internally regulated with way more power than stock) for $100 shipped. A new water pump and Sanden air compressor or delete bracket and I am off and running. Sell the old system to recoup costs and I'm even better.
Tensioner - I like it up in front where I can get to it easily in the event I have an issue.
Of course there are all the hidden modifications that go along with modernizing your belt system-Changing the fitting on the new steering pump to the old pump style-easy-setting up your charging system for the internally regulated alt.-a little harder-reverse flow water pump means reverse fan or electric setup-easy to difficult- Afew other issues I may have missed.
That said I love how bright my headlights are(no relays)
love how it doesn't slip belts (auto tensioner)
Much better access to accessories for repair
and probably the biggest hooray for me is---wait for it---
No brackets needed for accessories to your exhaust= easy header installs.
They do HAVE a bracket initially installed on the exhaust but it is not really needed.

[gmachinz]

Cheaper for GM to use cast aluminum brackets than bent/formed steel ones. Serpentine is an overall better design-the level of detail can yield awesome looking accessory drive systems too BTW. I wouldn't just throw them on dirty...