mechanics, I need your help! Serpentine conversion question

[YOLO]

My project is a 64 C10. My 350 sbc is from a 70 Camaro. I want to put a 99 Chevy Tahoe serpentine with A/C on my 70 block. I am told there may be a problem using the stock water pump from the 70 Camaro and maybe a fan direction issue. Does anyone know if I this conversion will "fit" and if so do I need a water pump from the 99 Tahoe? If there is a fan issue do I just get rid of the mechanical fan and use electric fans? Thank you.

[chevy_mike]

Yes, you need a reverse direction (not flow) water pump. I found that using one from a '92 Camaro works great and points the heater hoses the way I want them. You cannot use the original fan as the blade are for standard rotation. Easiest would be go electric but there are some reverse style mechanical fans but I don't know what vehicles/years to look for.

To do it correctly, there is an extra hole that needs to be drilled and tapped into the passenger side head, unless you have late model Vortec head, which will have the hole. I did this to my engine.

[YOLO]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Yes, you need a reverse direction (not flow) water pump. I found that using one from a '92 Camaro works great and points the heater hoses the way I want them. You cannot use the original fan as the blade are for standard rotation. Easiest would be go electric but there are some reverse style mechanical fans but I don't know what vehicles/years to look for.

To do it correctly, there is an extra hole that needs to be drilled and tapped into the passenger side head, unless you have late model Vortec head, which will have the hole. I did this to my engine.

Mike, did you have to plug a hole on the passenger side? I was told there will be an extra hole not covered by the water pump inlet. Do you have any pictures of your motor with the serpentine completed? Any other mods? Thank you.

[chevy_mike]

I think the hole you are talking about is the one below the lower water pump bolt hole.



No I did not have to plug it as the '92 Camaro water pump has the spot for this.



I don't think the Vortec ('95+) water pumps have this extra bypass. Sorry no pics of it completed as the whole project ground to a halt when I got to the bodywork phase. The only mod I had to do was to tap this extra hole. Some folks don't do it but then the pass. side bracket is only held on with two bolts.

[YOLO]

Chevy_Mike
that is why this site is so important. You answered all my questions to the point. I really appreciate your time. Thank you.

[Captainfab]

If you were to use the '96-'02 Vortec water pump, then you would need to tap and plug the thermostat bypass hole in the passenger side of the block.

[YOLO]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

If you were to use the '96-'02 Vortec water pump, then you would need to tap and plug the thermostat bypass hole in the passenger side of the block.

Thanks Cap. I am going to use the '92 Camaro water pump. I appreciate your reply as well.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by YOLO

Chevy_Mike
that is why this site is so important. You answered all my questions to the point. I really appreciate your time. Thank you.

No problem, glad to help.

[wayno]

I think the type of serpentine system matters too. For my serpentine I was told the water pump did not need to be reverse direction - but as you can see it utilizes two separate belts.

[chevy_mike]

wanyo - yours is not a true serpentine belt system but a hybrid. It is a basic V belt style that is using serpentine belts instead of V belts. A true serpentine system is a single belt that run everything. Almost all of those systems use a reverse direction water pump.

[vdawg]

Bro Im not a mechanic but here are a few options I have used that do work.....I picked this serpentine kit from Jegs. Running it on a mid 80's sbc350. I have used these kits on 4 other builds with no issues. I have used some from mid 90 gm trucks on earlier sbc with no issues. One thing I do is make sure I buy the water pump from what ever truck Im using the serp kit from. I also like to run flex-a-lite Blackmagic electric fans. There are tons of other options out there hope this info helps you out.

[YOLO]

Originally Posted by vdawg

Bro Im not a mechanic but here are a few options I have used that do work.....I picked this serpentine kit from Jegs. Running it on a mid 80's sbc350. I have used these kits on 4 other builds with no issues. I have used some from mid 90 gm trucks on earlier sbc with no issues. One thing I do is make sure I buy the water pump from what ever truck Im using the serp kit from. I also like to run flex-a-lite Blackmagic electric fans. There are tons of other options out there hope this info helps you out.

WOW! Nice set up. I found a serpentine set up from a 96 tahoe. I will get a 92 camaro water pump to cover the extra hole on the block from the stock water pump. Should look just like your set up. Thank you.