I want to eliminate my stock serpentine setup. I have already removed the smog pump and I'm about to remove the AC. Now I wonder what is the point of having that big ugly serpentine system for power steering and the alternator?

Does anybody know of a cost effective aftermarket solution to this problem? I like having a tensioner, but I would probably give that up if the system looked nice enough for the right price.

I would love to find something that has a tensioner, uses my stock alternator and PS pump and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and also looks sleek and efficent.

Am I dreaming, or does soemthing like this exist? Or am I caught in that "the grass is greener on the other side" thing?

 

Take a glance through this thread:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...t=belt+routing

There's always V-belt, if you want to change your pump.

 

If you switch over to a V belt you can make a stout bracket for the power steering quite easily. This is what I did. I have headers and didn't want to mess around with the hokey bracketry that has to be purchased seperately. I made it out of a piece of 1/2" by 1" 304 grade SS flat stock. and I had to make 2 bushings, one is visible out front down low between the pump bracket and the SS bracket, it is 1 inch thick, the second one is just above the pump fill cap in the pick between the block and the upper pump bracket, it is 3/4 inch thick.

You don't have to use SS. Regular iron would be fine, just paint it.

This is just a suggestion if you want to run a V belt.

Don't pay any attention to my rusty old water pump. I used it to get the car running till I can get my aluminum one.

 

I don't want v-belts, I like those idea's in that post you gave me, thanks a lot for that. I did a search, but I hadn't seen that post.

I like the idea of having a tensioner. The whole no squeal no maintainace thing kicks ***.

 

there is still going to be maintenance and sometimes squeaks. i am having that problem right now with my 2001 taurus.

 

That is one sweet heavy duty bracket! But how did you makeit so the belt tension could be adjustable? Here is my really hokey PS bracket. It works fine for now, but when i pull the engine i will build some AL bracketry!!

 

Lol, I don't have a 2001 Ford, I have an 89 Firebird, and I don't have squeal now, I never have, and I don't ever want it. I will put up with something that doesn't look as good if I don't have to hear the sqeal.

 

but what i am saying is eventually... maybe not now or near now but sometime down the road your belt will wear and you may hear squeaks.

 

It's funny you mention the Taurus. My moms car developed that same squeal and it turned out the bearings in the idler pulley were shot. She said it started on her way home from Nebraska in July and she made it home just fine. when I got it off, it was almost completely siezed. Check that pulley or you may smoke your belt. I had a 90 K1500 and let the belt go so long, It was only about 3/8" wide, not one peep out of it. I never even looked at it during oil changes etc... I think I got lucky there.

 

I had an '85 Iroc and it had the v-belt setup. I don't think it ever squealed on me, but then again I didn't drive the car that much either. Some of my friend's car's have had the squeal deal going on with their v-belts though.

I liked the v-belts, don't get me wrong, but I like the serpentine systems better at this point in time.

This system from March looks soooo good
http://www.marchperf.com/gallery_chevysmall.html

I like the idea's in that thread that the link is too though. I want to try the arrangement where the alternator is put in place of the smog pump, and the tensioner is made to tension "up". That looks like the one for me if it works as well as stock

 

I will look out for that but i sprayed some belt lube on it and it made the squeal worse and now it has subsided until cold days.

 

Measure what you have left, and see if you cant route the belt appropriately. It will most certainly require a shorter belt....

 

If you look closely (I know the pic is a crappy one, sorry) the bolt that is out front, down low, on the SS bracket, is in a slot, on the bracket. I took a 1/2" by 2" peice of SS and TIG welded it to the side/end of the 1/2" by 1" piece then cut a slot in it on a mill at work, and rounded it up with a pea-nut grinder, and buffed it out the best I could.

It was easy and FREE! I made it out of scrap I pulled from the metal bin at work.

 

 

Thanks my3rdgen. I wish i could find some scrap SS, lying around, lucky bastard! I will probably make mine out of Al, because its easier to work with and is lighter as your probably know.