K1ng0011

I have a 1985 v6 2.8L camaro. I am in the process of trying to convert it to a serpentine setup. Since it seems there are no reverse water pumps for an 85-86. I will have to get a timing cover from a newer car like an 87. My question is am I going to have to switch the oil pans for a newer reverse water pump timing cover? Or can I just bolt the new timing cover on?

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

I hate like Hell to throw a wet blanket on your energy here , ,

BUT , ,

WHY in the hell would you ditch one belt system for another , when from where it counts , BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL , you ain't gonna be able to tell which belt system is driving your water pump and etc ?

If there is a problem with your V belts , fixing it will be FAR less work than what you propose . Further , since the pre 87 sixes aren't as well built as the later ones (with their better crankshafts and serpentine belt drive) are , if you've got THAT big of a need for one belt only , why not go the whole way and slip a 3.2 in there instead . That you WILL feel from the driver's seat , that's for sure

K1ng0011

I dont have a garage to do any type of engine swap in and neither does any one I know. I dont really like the v-belt systems too much they are a hassle to adjust and take apart compared to serpentine. But that is just my personal preference I do understand why some people do like the v-belts though. I have everything bolted together I either need a counter clockwise water pump for the original timing cover or I need the timing cover from an 87 put on. But I am unsure whether or not I am going to need to remove the oil pan or get a new one. I have not found a post that makes it clear. I did go the autoparts store and pick this up. It says its a counter clockwise water pump but the impeller turns the same direction as the original.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...152_0131263758

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

Yes, you need the '87+ timing cover. The passages are different between forward and reverse rotation and is why you can not use a reverse rotation pump on a forward rotation front cover.

Yes, you will also need to swap the oil pan to the matching oil pan as well.

I would also swap to the serpentine system myself. More reliable, less hassle, and cleaner when you do pop the hood.

I converted my '85 Jimmy to serpentine, I also built a different engine at the same time, so it was done a little differently than you are doing it, but would have likely swapped even if I was keeping the original engine.

K1ng0011

Oh if I need a new oil pan I guess I am going back to the v-belt setup. I dont think you can remove the oil pan without taking out the engine in these vehicles. I unfortunately do not have the tools and space to remove an engine from a vehicle. So I am guessing there is a clearance issue with the oil pan? And there is no way to modify the pan so you can put the new timing cover on?

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

You can change the pan in the truck, it's just not very easy.

The issue is the seal between the front cover and the pan, they are different. The older system uses an angled flange that is bolted together, where as the newer system has a semi-circular area that is sealed in a press fit.

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

There are some pictures here of the different front covers:

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f106/b...9/#post6748308

K1ng0011

Thanks for the information. I might just try and take a hammer and beat the oil pan into shape for the new timing cover or I will just go back to the old v-belt set-up unfortunately. I have not decided yet. I need to take the thing off of behind the crankshaft pulley so I can make a decision on what to do from there. If the oil pan only juts out a little bit I will probably just bent it and seal the hole with something.

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

LOL, if you try to modify the oil pan in the cave man way you suggest, PLEASE, PLEASE take video, of the modification process and the initial start up afterwards so that we can watch the oil spill out...

K1ng0011

I was thinking if you could get the pan close enough to the block you could seal it with something like gorilla glue. I put a new cylinder head on my passengers side and did not have a pipe plug for a hole in the back of the head. I literally gorilla glued a bolt in even though the bolt was smaller than the hole. It was held in there with no issues and I drove it 180 miles. I was thinking it might work in this case but your probably right and it will not work.

Richboll

You drove it 180 miles and then what? The bolt came out? You pulled it out? The motor died?
The plug that you needed probably cost less than the cost of the glue. A temporary fix to get you home is one thing, but usually it will cost you less in the end to do your repairs the right way.
If you can't do the swap the right way, leave it as it is. You'll only have to mess with it once in a great while and you'll be able to maintain the built in reliability factor. Individual belts also cost less than a serpentine belt.

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

While yes, V-belts usually cost less than serpentine belts you have to replace them more often, and there are more of them (usually) on one engine so the cost either comes out pretty even or in favour of the serpentine belt from a replacement factor.

K1ng0011

I glued that bolt in to get me to a store with a pipe plug and back. It was just a really long way to a store with pipe plugs I was in the middle of nowhere in washington. So I needed a fix to get me to a store. But I am thinking I will pay someone to help me out and take out the engine in the area so I can make the switch over to a serpentine and use the v-belts for now. But thanks to you guys I actually know where I went wrong and the parts that I need thanks for the help.

K1ng0011

For anyone still watching this thread I am almost finished with my serpentine belt conversion process. I went up a 5,000 ft mountain here in Washington and I found out that my cylinder 1 intake cam lobe was perfectly round it barley made it up the mountain. So I went ahead with the serpentine conversion. I had to get a 87 oil pan, oil pan gasket, 87 timing cover, and all of the accessories. I put on a new oil pump which fits the 87 oil pan. I am very close to being done at this point. I need a new harmonic balancer which I am getting today. And after that all I have to do is get it running. It has not been running in over a month so it was making a popping noise when I was starting it. I dont know if it was how the oil pan was placed when I bolted it on but the starter had some issues bolting up. I had to hit a lip on the edge of the oil pan with a hammer and it bolted up easily. Hope this information helps someone in the future if they want a serpentine setup from a new 2.8l v6.