'92 serp swap to '78 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**kidatheart** · 09-08-2019, 10:09 PM

I am wanting to take the complete serpentine belt set up from a 1992 350 and install it on my 1978 with a 350. What will I need to do to make the 1992 alternator work in the '78? I was told it is controlled by the computer in the '92. I searched and found lots on alternator swaps, but most for LS engines or installing an internal-regulator alt on a 67-72. Thanks for any help.

SCOTI · 09-08-2019, 10:45 PM

I don't recall any special requiements when swapping into an earlier year model. Just need to get the exciter wiring connected & make sure the power wire is the right gauge for the specific alternators output.

I upgraded to heavier gauge wire for my dually because the length was increased (relocated batt) & I swapped to the highest amp alt Oreillys had in stock.

Beyond that, don't forget the reverse rotation water pump & cooling fan.

sweetk30 · 09-09-2019, 11:28 AM

alt is the alt NOT computer controled . mine has been just fine for 13-14 years now .

p/s pump bolts to bracket will need to be american possible as the serp belt years pumps were metric . easy swap out tho .

otherwise it all bolts up minus 1 head bolt/stud .

get the t-stat hose neck its different as is the bend in the upper molded hose .
the water pump is reverse rotation .
the cooling fan is reverse also .

and a p/s pump pulley puller is required to pull the pump first or you can not get to the 1 hidden bolt to the block for the driver side bracket .
and E-tork sockets for the studs in the block / head face .

**kidatheart** · 09-09-2019, 07:17 PM

Thanks for all of the words of wisdom from real experience. I am going to dive into it soon, so it is going to have to work one way or another. Sounds simple enough. Thanks again.

sweetk30 · 09-09-2019, 08:11 PM

1st one i did was on a 1979 350 block . no problems other than what i told you .

good luck if you need more help just ask .

**kidatheart** · 09-09-2019, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetk30

1st one i did was on a 1979 350 block . no problems other than what i told you .

good luck if you need more help just ask .

Did you have to drill and tap any holes into the block to bolt the bottom of the bracket on?

sweetk30 · 09-10-2019, 11:14 AM

like i said above just 1 head bolt hole not there . i left it off for 10 + years no problems . just make sure to use the brace rods to the intake and driver side exhaust manifold bolt / stud unit .

SCOTI · 09-10-2019, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetk30

like i said above just 1 head bolt hole not there . i left it off for 10 + years no problems . just make sure to use the brace rods to the intake and driver side exhaust manifold bolt / stud unit .

On a small block I did, I left it off as well.

sweetk30 · 09-10-2019, 07:02 PM

not asked here but i see this thread going good with info so i will add this for the big block guys wishing to save some cash .

http://www.kwikperf.com/bbc_serp_kit.html

SCOTI · 09-10-2019, 07:05 PM

^^ This^^

Works well & is what I have on my dually. Couple of things needed tweaks but once sorted, it's been a trouble-free set-up for ~7k miles.

**kidatheart** · 09-10-2019, 11:07 PM

With a wiring adapter, with built in resistor, that goes from the si wiring to the cs alternator, looks like it is pretty much a plug and play. I am anxious to get started on the swap. Thanks to all for the help and info!

sweetk30 · 09-11-2019, 01:40 PM

no adaptor or harness for me . looked at wiring diagram for plug on alt and made the swap on the wires . key off no charge power . key on she is charging .

09-08-2019, 10:09 PM	#1
kidatheart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Assaria, Ks Posts: 465	'92 serp swap to '78 I am wanting to take the complete serpentine belt set up from a 1992 350 and install it on my 1978 with a 350. What will I need to do to make the 1992 alternator work in the '78? I was told it is controlled by the computer in the '92. I searched and found lots on alternator swaps, but most for LS engines or installing an internal-regulator alt on a 67-72. Thanks for any help.

09-08-2019, 10:45 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,068	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 I don't recall any special requiements when swapping into an earlier year model. Just need to get the exciter wiring connected & make sure the power wire is the right gauge for the specific alternators output. I upgraded to heavier gauge wire for my dually because the length was increased (relocated batt) & I swapped to the highest amp alt Oreillys had in stock. Beyond that, don't forget the reverse rotation water pump & cooling fan. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-09-2019, 11:28 AM	#3
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 alt is the alt NOT computer controled . mine has been just fine for 13-14 years now . p/s pump bolts to bracket will need to be american possible as the serp belt years pumps were metric . easy swap out tho . otherwise it all bolts up minus 1 head bolt/stud . get the t-stat hose neck its different as is the bend in the upper molded hose . the water pump is reverse rotation . the cooling fan is reverse also . and a p/s pump pulley puller is required to pull the pump first or you can not get to the 1 hidden bolt to the block for the driver side bracket . and E-tork sockets for the studs in the block / head face . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

09-09-2019, 07:17 PM	#4
kidatheart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Assaria, Ks Posts: 465	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 Thanks for all of the words of wisdom from real experience. I am going to dive into it soon, so it is going to have to work one way or another. Sounds simple enough. Thanks again.

09-09-2019, 08:11 PM	#5
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 1st one i did was on a 1979 350 block . no problems other than what i told you . good luck if you need more help just ask . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

09-10-2019, 11:14 AM	#7
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 like i said above just 1 head bolt hole not there . i left it off for 10 + years no problems . just make sure to use the brace rods to the intake and driver side exhaust manifold bolt / stud unit . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

09-10-2019, 07:02 PM	#9
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 not asked here but i see this thread going good with info so i will add this for the big block guys wishing to save some cash . http://www.kwikperf.com/bbc_serp_kit.html __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

09-10-2019, 07:05 PM	#10
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,068	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 ^^ This^^ Works well & is what I have on my dually. Couple of things needed tweaks but once sorted, it's been a trouble-free set-up for ~7k miles. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-10-2019, 11:07 PM	#11
kidatheart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Assaria, Ks Posts: 465	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 With a wiring adapter, with built in resistor, that goes from the si wiring to the cs alternator, looks like it is pretty much a plug and play. I am anxious to get started on the swap. Thanks to all for the help and info!

09-11-2019, 01:40 PM	#12
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: '92 serp swap to '78 no adaptor or harness for me . looked at wiring diagram for plug on alt and made the swap on the wires . key off no charge power . key on she is charging . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.



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