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serpentine conversion question

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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 06:33 PM
  #1  
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serpentine conversion question

If i switch my two belt serpentine and vbelt to the newer one belt system from 89--->
do i have to change my waterpump???
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 06:38 PM
  #2  
drknow90rs_ss@y's Avatar
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From: Wittman,Az
Car: 86 IROC-Z, '71 RS
Engine: 305 TPI/ 350
Transmission: 700R4/TH350
Re: serpentine conversion question

Yes, you will need the serpentine water pump. Think its the "Long" pump.
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 08:26 PM
  #3  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: serpentine conversion question

All these water pumps are "long" water pumps. GM stopped using the "short" water pump in the 1960's.

But yes - to swap to serpentine, you HAVE to have:

Serpentine (reverse flow) water pump
Alternator - yours won't attach to the serp brackets
Smog Pump - again, yours won't attach to the serp brackets
P/S pump - again, your will not attach to the serp brackets
A/C compressor - again ...

In other words - IT AIN'T WORTH IT!!!!

There's NOTHING advantageous about the serpentine setup at all. IN FACT, it's a disadvantage! If your serp belt breaks, you stop right there - no alt, no water pump! If your V-belt breaks, you can limp home, since the V-belt system puts more than 1 belt across the water pump, no matter which belt breaks, you always have a water pump (assuming only one belt breaks).

I had serp system in my 1992 - I hated it - I yanked it all out when I went carbed and deleted my A/C, and went with the V belt system (and yes I replaced everything to do it). Trust me - stick with what you have - you're much better off!
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 12:41 AM
  #4  
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Re: serpentine conversion question

Strong words... I have to buy AC and smog deletes and pay for setup and reclock alternator..and PS pump... plus I have a team g weiland high performance pump that was expensive
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 01:39 AM
  #5  
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From: Wittman,Az
Car: 86 IROC-Z, '71 RS
Engine: 305 TPI/ 350
Transmission: 700R4/TH350
Re: serpentine conversion question

The reason I had "long" in quotes, was that it is the longer version than the v-belt setup. I forgot it was called the "reverse" pump. I had to replace my A/C compressor already and I had a serp P/S pump laying around. I got everything I needed at pull-a-part for $30.00. There are definate advantages to both systems. I carry a breaker bar and a spare belt. all I need to change it. With the v-belt setup, if something siezes, you can continue for a while.
The main reason I switched is looks. I just like the clean look of the serp system.
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 12:09 PM
  #6  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: serpentine conversion question

Originally Posted by sfeeney
Strong words... I have to buy AC and smog deletes and pay for setup and reclock alternator..and PS pump... plus I have a team g weiland high performance pump that was expensive
Yep - sorry bud ... but it's a PITA to swap either direction. Like mentioned - maybe you can get decent used parts at JY - but it all has to be changed out to go from V to serp and visa versa.
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 12:36 PM
  #7  
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: serpentine conversion question

Originally Posted by drknow90rs_ss@y
The main reason I switched is looks. I just like the clean look of the serp system.
Me too--along with the fact that I wanted to run an STB (a driver's side compressor brace on my old set-up interfered). The following link contains the manual and parts info of the GM kit I purchased. Perhaps those will benefit someone.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...rsion-kit.html

JamesC
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 03:01 PM
  #8  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: serpentine conversion question

Serp is nice if parts are in tact I suppose - but given I yanked out A/C and smog pump, serp brackets were just huge, bulky, and ugly to me.
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 07:23 PM
  #9  
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From: SWAT - Houston
Car: 82 Trans Am
Engine: 383
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Built 4th gen 3.42 posi/disc
Re: serpentine conversion question

Hmm!

I did a serp. conversion on my 82 T/A after loosing the A/C
v-belt on more then one occasion when 'romping' on the
throttle. I no longer have the LOUD clutched fan noise when
revving the motor and, it looks so much nicer. I got the
brackets from a parts car, sand blasted and painted. I would
recommend the conversion. Am running A/C and a smog
delete pulley. The water pump is reverse flow.

Some pics here
http://transam.planetjupiter.com/
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 11:16 PM
  #10  
drknow90rs_ss@y's Avatar
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From: Wittman,Az
Car: 86 IROC-Z, '71 RS
Engine: 305 TPI/ 350
Transmission: 700R4/TH350
Re: serpentine conversion question

If I didn't have the A/C and smog pump, I probably would have stayed with the v-belt setup. I like the fact that the A/C hose is all on the passenger side now and not strung out all over the engine bay.
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Old Apr 9, 2011 | 02:07 AM
  #11  
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From: PHOENIX/ TOLLESON ARIZONA
Car: 90 IROC 5.7 1LE CLONE 89 GTA 88IROC
Engine: 5.7TPI / 5.7TPI/ 5.7TPI/ 4.3 CMFI
Transmission: 700R4 UPGRADED 700R4STOCK700R4STOCK
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10 BOLT 3.27 9 BOLT 2.77 9BOLT
Re: serpentine conversion question

I PULLED MY ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM. BA---BYE....
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