Hey all,

A while back I bought a used Serpentine system (brackets and bolts only) with the intention to ditch my V-Belts and I'm finally getting around to doing the swap. I have a reverse flow water pump already and Plan on picking up an A/C idler in the next week or so.

The main thing I'd like to verify is if there's a difference between V-belt systems and Serpentines as far as the Alternator and Power Steering pump is concerned. Can I use the same units off my V-Belt setup and just change the pulleys, or will I need to replace them with units made for the serpentine?

I'm fairly certain there isn't a difference other than the pulleys, but since this is my daily driver I'd like to be completely certain. Thanks

 

If you're using the standard 3rd gen serp system brackets, you'll need a different alternator. The P/S pump {should} work and fit fine, you'll just need to get a serp pulley for it. But the alternator on a v-belt setup has bolt holes at 6 and 12 o'clock, but they are different on the serp setups, more like 12 and 4 oclock.

The A/C is going to be different if you're keeping it - v-belt had A/c on driver side, serp has it on pass, and they are different compressors with different mounting holes. Or else you'll need the A/C delete pulley.

I did the opposite - switched to the v-belts from serp - I hate the big ugly serp brackets! V-belt worked fine for 100 years, and makes for a much cleaner looking engine bay.

 

Yes, they are the standard 3rd gen serp brackets. I see what you're saying with the alternators, looked up a few on summit and I can see the bolt differences on the alt. casing now... can't believe I never noticed that with as many times as I've looked at 'em

For the A/C, I don't currently have any... it wasn't working and I removed the compressor a while back. Eventually I'll be putting it back in, but for the time being I'll be using an A/C delete pulley for the serp setup.

looking at the PS pumps on summit, it seems they have different models listed for 80-87 and 88-92... they look identical except the 88-92 has a longer tube where the line attaches and it's curved differently... I'm wondering if thats to work around the serp brackets? Can't imagine it would be since the serp was available on the '85 TPI IROCs but it's all I can think of at the moment.

 

The PS pump will absolutely not work. The holes in front do not line up, and the reservoir needs to be off the serpentine setup. You will need to use the right one.
The alternator could work, maybe, if you wanted to fab up a bracket and possibly shim it into the right place and hopefully it clears the hood. I wouldnt try it, personally.

 

I did the swap on my 85, so some of the info that follows may be helpful:

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

JamesC

 

The differences in the P/S pumps are the angle of the resevoir in relation to the pump itself. The pump is round, and the resevoir is 'twisted' differently on the pump with the v-belt systems vs. the serp systems. A new pump at AZ is $55.99 +tax and a $7 core (just bought one last week), so relatively cheap as opposed to the hours of time trying to make the v-belt pump work with the serp system.

It's only money - you'll make more!

 

The holes in the pump itself are different as well. I tried this less than 6 months ago, it does not work.

 

Thanks for the info on the PS pump guys...and for that link JamesC, The info provided there is going to help a lot, Especially the Documentation from the GM kit... I've been looking for that everywhere! looks like I'll be picking up a new Alternator and PS unit before I get started. Will update once my orders come in.

 

the power steering pump is different from v-belt and so is the alt. So pretty much you have to buy everything for serp. I did this conversion AFTER a new water pump and power steering. in the end it worked out in my favor.