I currently have v-belt pulleys on my T/A and I was wondering if it would be beneficial for me to switch over to a serpentine belt, would I need a belt tensioner and different accessories or could I just go to the junk yard and buy the pulleys and route it like my current v-belt? I was also considering a gilmer style pulley but I'm not so sure about the clearance with my 350. Any info or advice would be appreciated, Thanks.

 

there is really no benefit i like the serp setup myself but remmeber that you also need the waterpump for the serp setup. the v- belt one will not work with it.

 

Ok thanks

 

Also the alternator is different with a factory serp system. No real need to swap except for looks - V-belt systems been working fine since the 1920's!

 

Why would he need a rev. rotation water pump? There are many ways to skin a cat, and as such also to run a serp. system. No need for a rev. rot. water pump if he runs it like his stuff runs now. no need for a tensioner, you can use the water pump and alternator and other accys to tension the belts. The alternator on the factory setup is different because it's on the other side, it's a 180 deg. housing unlike the earlier one which is what.. 135 deg?

Here's my setup going to run a KRC block mount pump w/ serp. pulley. Crank mandrel for SC pulley will be redone in a larger diameter and cut for flat belt grooves, alt will run w/ 3 rib belt off the water pump only...just like on the vette



Similar setup on my vette:




Both are normal rotation pumps (the vette one is a short style pump), works like a champ. No need for tensioners and bulky brackets.

 

That's not serp, that's flat multi-groove.

 

twin_turbo thats a wonderful looking motor u have

 

What's the difference? Same belt style. Just doesn't run all accessories...so what. Still has the benefit of this belt style. I think the OP is mainly looking for that since he's considering a gilmer/cog style setup too. If he really wants a 1 belt serp setup then yes he will need a different water pump w the smooth pulley.

 

Like Twin_Turbo said, no need for a reverse rotation water pump or different alternator. I have all March pulleys and their power steering pump bracket. Ther alternator bracket is the same thing as the March one, but is sold under the Summit name.

I dont think there is any benifet to it other than I think it looks much nicer.

This is the same pic in my sig, but bigger so you can see it better.

 

the flat belts have more grip and less drag, they look better too...I agree. Your setup looks very clean and compact, I like it...that's what I'm aiming for. Yours is almost identical to how mine will be.

 

a serpentine/polygroove style belt setup will use less
HP at high rpm VS a v-belt setup,even if the pulley
ratios are the same-the thin belt flexes over the pulleys
easier and there is less side friction.On a simple 1or 2
belt setup,the difference probably won't be all that
much,but on a more complex setup of 3or 4 belts the
difference might be noticable-i'd say the stock '88up
serpentine setup on a third is worth 8-10 hp at 5500
rpm VS the earlier multiple v-belt setup,chevy found
5hp with the '84 vette's serpentine vs the '82 vettes
multiple v-belts at 4400rpm.

 

The 9 HP in the 84 VS 82 vette can not be contributed to the belts just like that or do you have factual data on that? There are other differences as well, main being that the 82 manifold does not have the holes between the runners that all 84s do have. The 84 ECM is also different from the 82 (82 has that bulky 1225550) and some other things like possibly more parasitic loss from the power steering pump for the external assist ram vs te r&p setup.

 

I found a Gilmer pulley set on ebay not too long ago that is reasonably priced, and it runs the water pump, and alternator with the the wide belt and the crank pulley that comes with the kit also has a v-belt groove behind the teeth to run the power steering. My only concern is whether or not I have enough space between the engine and the radiator for that type of setup. Anybody think that clearance would be an issue?