I am sure this has been covered but don't have the time to spend looking through old threads and all over the internet. I finally have my 72 back from the body shop and was looking to start dressing up the eng. has anyone here done a serpentine belt conversion on a sbc. I have a 350, and was told that the serp system off of any truck from around 88-95 (chevy truck of course). would work. I have no a/c and not sure if it is short or long water pump, was told to use same type of water pump that was on the vehicle I pull this stuff off of. any tips or insite would be greatly apprecitated. thanks

 

Haven't done it, as I'm a fan of the old V belts myself. You can tell if it's a short or long by looking at the space between the back of the water pump and the timing cover. If it's far enough away to slip your fingers behind the pump it's a long. Short pumps are less than 1/4" clearance behind.
You should use the pump from the engine, or make sure you get one exactly like it. Some of the serpentine setups use reverse flow water pumps, and if you put that system on a std. pump your engine will overheat from lack of cooling!
It's hard to find a setup from a truck or car, as most wrecking yards don't like to separate them unless the engine is blown. If it's rebuildable they sell the engines with all the pulleys.

 

How many accessories are you turning? Mine is bare-bones, only turning a water pump and alternator. I like the serpentine better, as I can't zing the belt off at high rpm's any more like the v-belt used to. I just bought the (March) pulleys I needed and measured for the right length belt. And a little clarification to what 71 was saying about the water pump. A pump for a "factory" style serpentine setup is a reverse rotation, not reverse flow. It still flows through the engine the same, as long as it's turning the right direction. Turn it the wrong direction, and the impellers won't move the water (think water wheel). If the factory pump came with a smooth pulley on it, riding on the back side of the belt, it's reverse rotation. But all the factory serpentine setups I've ever seen have big, clunky, ugly looking bracketry. That's ok I spose as long as you're not going for good looks, and as long as your block/heads have mounting provisions for it.

 

thanks guys, I guess I will do alittle more research and soul searching on doing this. Camaro69, I like your setup, all I am turning is alt, water pump, and pwr streering. where is your tensioner, I don't see one in the pic, are you just adjusting the alt for the tension. with me having pwr string I don't know if that would work. But I do say what you guys are saying about the bulky brackets, decisions decisions.

 

Yeah, I set the tension just like if it was a v-belt, at the alternator.

 

Im interested in this. I am tired of z-ing-ing my vebelt everytime I shift a little late.

I am also running power steering.

 

I'd go aftermarket if you go serpentine. It's much cleaner, and if you're talking new for either system, aftermarket is much cheaper. Factory setups aren't cheap.

 

doz i shouldve looked here before i put it on but i am selling an 88 iroc setup,comes with everything u need even power steering, it was on a 350 in my monte

Iroc Camaro Serpentine Brackets And Pulleys | eBay

 

reserve is 75, i seen the same setup minus power steering pump, and tensioner/idler pulley go for 75 so its worth at least that,

 

I appreciate it limptera13. It def would be worth the 75. I am still on the fence if I want to go the serp route. I may take a look at it but not sure if I am going to do the conversion. good luck with the sale.