I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I was wondering what the difference between an engine with a serpintine and V-belt is. Is one better/worse then other?
Moderator
A serpentine belt system drives everything with one belt that winds its way through all the pulleys. A conventional V belt system has multiple belts and pulleys. Some cars have a hybrid system with a serpentine belt driving some accessories and V belts driving others.
The biggest advantage of a serpentine belt is probably the convenience of the tensioner. As the belt wears the tensioner keeps things properly tight, and when it's time to change the belt, there's a single point to release the tension instead of having to loosen a dozen bolts. On the other hand, when a serpentine belt lets go, you lose everything at once.
The biggest advantage of a serpentine belt is probably the convenience of the tensioner. As the belt wears the tensioner keeps things properly tight, and when it's time to change the belt, there's a single point to release the tension instead of having to loosen a dozen bolts. On the other hand, when a serpentine belt lets go, you lose everything at once.
It also makes changing a water pump on a small block chevy ( and conversly a 4.3 ) soo much easier as well. But seriously I have heard that it tkaes less power to turn the serp belt then the multiple belts, so that the motor A. makes more power ( even 3-5 is good right? ) and B. gets better gas milage as a result.
Moderator
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave84Bird
even 3-5 is good right?
Probably closer to .03 or .05.Originally posted by Dave84Bird
even 3-5 is good right?
Full serpentine drive is much better, IMO well worth converting if you plan to keep accessories on the engine like AC.
Heres a pic of a converted system on my Camaro. It came from a Caprice engine but it's the same as F-body. BTW my sister who I let borrow my car still isnt back from her trip to California
Heres a pic of a converted system on my Camaro. It came from a Caprice engine but it's the same as F-body. BTW my sister who I let borrow my car still isnt back from her trip to California
Supreme Member
I always liked the V-belt setup better cause I can yank stuff off if I don't wont it and can re-install it when/if I need to and you can't do that with the serpentine setup with out buying new belts and re-routeing it.
on the other hand the serpentine is really easy and quick to change
on the other hand the serpentine is really easy and quick to change
Moderator
The automatic tensioning of the serpentine belt is a lot nicer than trying to keep tension on V belts with a pry bar while you tighten down one or more bolts.
If a V belt breaks, you lose an accessory, but your water pump keeps turning. If you lose the serpentine belt, you're hosed.
Not that any of us here would ever let a belt break.
If a V belt breaks, you lose an accessory, but your water pump keeps turning. If you lose the serpentine belt, you're hosed.
Not that any of us here would ever let a belt break.
You know even if did break it would be a whole lot easyer to buy a single spare belt and keep it in the storage compartment along with a cresent wrench.
Moderator
If you were that farsighted, you would have replaced the belt before it was in danger of breaking anyway.
Tags belt, belts, difference, diffrence, gen, makes, power, pumps, seprtine, serpentin, serpentine, serpentive, serpintine, vbelt, water