Im swapping a v8 in to my camaro. My question is my uncle has a alternator bracket off a 350 truck, un sure of the year or what truck. MY question is this should work with no problems right?

 

I just want to run the min, ex alternator, power steering and water pump. I have a 1 groove crankshaft pulley, will i be able to run a serpentine setup without a belt tensioner? This is the biggest problem im having right now.

 

Two of the scariest words to see at the beginning of a hot rod question. . .

Impossible to answer without knowing the year or model of truck. It will fit the engine, that's about all you can say about it.

 

Ben, You will need either an adjustable altenator, or P/S mount, or idler mount, or a spring type tensioner for the serpentine belt. Otherwise it won't work.

Let us know what the bracket fits, or at least what it looks like, maybe with a picture? and we will try to help you out.



...Jim

 

Ok well this is the one that i have right now, http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/im...asket/5179.jpg. If this Alternator mount works, then i should be able to use a serpentine belt? I shouldnt need a tensioner, because the alternator bracket is adjustable correct?

 

Theoretically, although I've never seen a true serpentine set-up without a spring loaded tensioner.

 

A 3 groove crankshaft pulley, with a v belt running to the alternator, one v belt running to the water pump and one belt running to the power steering, would work alright?

 

You can run a serpentine with an adjustable component, no problem. A lot of Japanese cars use adjustable components rather then spring tensioners.(Like late 90's Toyota Pickups for one example).

The important thing is to adjust the belt correctly, which requires experience, or a belt tension tool, to measure belt preload. For "example", 15lbs of force on the guage will yeild 1/2 inch of deflection when adjusted properly, etc.

Thebackyard mechanic way is to tighten the belt a little bit, start the engine and see if the belt sqeels on start up. If it does, tighten a little more and try again, repeat as needed.


Hope this helps.
Jim
W.E.D.

 

Ok thanks. so now i just need a powersteering bracket, water pump and pulley. I need a standard rotation pump correct? Im not sure how to route the belt around the alt,ps,waterpump, and crankshaft without using an idler pulley. Sorry for asking such dumb questions, i just really want to get it done right the first time.

 

Ben, when you mix P/S into the equation, it gets interesting. The problem is that the belt needs to engage at least a third of each pulley, more if you were talking A/C compressor.
You will most likely need some type of idler to make this happen, a tensioner isn't a must, but an idler will be, to avoid slip with P/S added in, along with the std water pump and Alt setup.

It seems like you may not have an automotive engineering back ground, so there are really three good options, that will add up to the least amount of grief.
1) If you have money, buy a often overpriced serpentine kit from the rich folks at March, or similar. I have seen them $600 for basic to $2,000+ dollars for complete kits. More then alot of complete engines, but they are proud I suppose.

2) Swap to a complete used serpentine package from a donor car, newer Camaro, using the same small block engine, etc. You'll need everything from the crank pulley, to the P/S pulley, Water pump, altenator and fan, etc.

3) Stick with V belts and stock brackets for your application, which will be the cheapest. You can find a setup in a salvage yard or on the internet as long as it is in the same era as your engine.

Just buy a complete set from the same generation of whichever engine your running and you will avoid the grief. Which way you go will only effect the price from there.

Maybe this makes more sense?



...Jim

 

Thank you that made alot more sense. I know quite abit about cars, Im actually go to college for automotive / high performance, its just the whole accessory parts were confusing the he## out of me. After driving home this weekend from college (almost $100 round trip), im really thinking twice about doing this engine swap in my camaro. Im thinking about putting alil money into my college driver ( 99 grandam gt ) that gets 30 mpg highway and is decently quick stock. Opinions welcomed

 

Ben, that sounds like a good idea, at least until all this gas pricing stuff is sorted out. I think they are pulling our chains, jsut to raise prices, since we have been getting close to a free ride for so long....After all, motor oil comes from the same place and hasn't risen in price at the auto parts stores?

hhhhmmmmmm


The G-am is a good car, fun to drive to. The only concern is if it will hold much value when you are done. With a car like that, I would maybe do some exhaust and an air intake set-up, then maybe some super clean factory wheels(if not already there), get the paint and interior in super clean looking condition and drive the craap out of it. I wouldn't get too crazy with engine stuff, etc., but get it looking really nice, then you can be proud to drive it anywhere and pass a gas station here and there! lol

Just my opinion of course....the whole point of the internet, haha!


Good luck either way, just don't forget about the Camaro boards, !


...Jim