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Serpentine Belt System for L81

  • Thread starter Thread starter AUSSIEVETTEMAN
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AUSSIEVETTEMAN

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Hi all,

Just wondering if there is a kit to install an aftermarket serpentine belt system on an L81?
I saw this system on a 502 big block 69 here in Australia, best looking engine bay I have seen for a while. Not that it was all 'blinged up' but is was tidy and very practical.

I am running an alternator, power steering pump (chev), a/c pump and water pump. I have started to look around in the Summit catalogue, but these guys charge International orders an extra $23.95. My one peice Felpro gasket cost $120.00 AU by the time it got here and I ended up finding one dealer here in Oz that had it for $39.95!

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Tony
 
I don't know about an L81 (L82?), but check with March Performance Pulleys for a serpentine system that will fit your 81. Here is a pic of my engine with a serpentine kit, and a link to the small block chevy page at March. Good luck!:beer

http://www.marchperf.com/pg13.html

8886ZZ4_TPI_2.JPG
 
Now that is better, trim off the fat.

Thanks for the link, I'll sus out a thermo fan while I'm looking.

Cheers

Tony
 
I looked into these for my '81. In talking to Summit they swore it would work on the rebuild 350 I'm doing. I was hesitant to just order it because I had that "story" from the summit boys before and found out that it didn't fit, wrong hole pattern etc.

I called March myself and they said it would not work in a Corvette application without modifications, the list of mods was long and distinguished and not something I felt up to and included a lot of pulley modifications. If you have a specific question I would contact March directly via email, they have been really good to deal with via email.

Cheers.
 
I was just looking at the March site.............10 to 15 HP increase (Non Serpentine setup) just by changing my crappy old black steel pulleys to Aluminium!! WOW!!! Must be that shiney metal makes the belts go faster!

:crazy Bill

Edit: or is that a Serp. setup?? I can't tell, for 1971-1982 it doesn't say Serp. setup like the rest.
 
goingballistic said:
I looked into these for my '81. In talking to Summit they swore it would work on the rebuild 350 I'm doing. I was hesitant to just order it because I had that "story" from the summit boys before and found out that it didn't fit, wrong hole pattern etc.

I called March myself and they said it would not work in a Corvette application without modifications, the list of mods was long and distinguished and not something I felt up to and included a lot of pulley modifications. If you have a specific question I would contact March directly via email, they have been really good to deal with via email.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

That's strange. My ZZ4 had no problems at all with the installation and fitment of the pulleys, brackets or belts. My 1980 has alot more room in the front of the engine compartment since I've removed all the belts and the belt driven fan.
 
goingballistic said:
I looked into these for my '81. In talking to Summit they swore it would work on the rebuild 350 I'm doing. I was hesitant to just order it because I had that "story" from the summit boys before and found out that it didn't fit, wrong hole pattern etc.

I called March myself and they said it would not work in a Corvette application without modifications, the list of mods was long and distinguished and not something I felt up to and included a lot of pulley modifications. If you have a specific question I would contact March directly via email, they have been really good to deal with via email.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

I thought as much. I sent them an email yesterday asking heaps of questions, but so far no reply. I'll give them another day as sometimes it takes around 72 hours for a reply.

I wouldn't mind converting pulleys as I have a harmonic vibration, not from the HB itself as the engine has been balanced, but more a pulley vibration. You can feel it with an increase in revs. I have replaced the torque converter and that took out some vibes, but there is still more. I was going to disconnect one belt at a time and run some tests.

The pulley conversion and a thermo fan work better in our climate anyway. I have a big block radiator in there keeping things cool, she runs on 160 all the time except traffic when she will run around 200 on a hot day. As soon as the airflow improves, so does the temp. Coolflex hoses are an improvement over the rubber ones, but I have been wanting to put thermos on for a while to get rid of the fan. I am not really worried about hp increases, just practical improvements for my daily driver!

I'll let you all know what they say,

Cheers

Tony
 
March didn't reply for a while and when they did, they said they couldn't ship to Australia.
They said to get in touch with Summit to ship outside the USA.

They did say to call them to discuss with a tech guy what I would need. Well I sent some pics of the current setup, described the changes and asked for their suggestion for replacing with the serpentine system.

I already have a Sanden A/C pump. The previous owner has installed a Bosch alternator - 85 amp.
I do not mind replacing these units for non poliched, ready to paint ones. polished pulleys are OK.

I have also checked out Zoop, but their serpentine system runs high and has a big bracket that looks crap.

Any tips.

Cheers

Tony
 
Here is a link to a GM system-

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/896/products/8223/.htm
small_4332546_2721785.jpg


Bit pricey though-
Price: $753.95

Here is what it comes with-
10055800 Secondary Air Injector pump bracket
1134344 Air compressor assembly, (CR4)
10129569 Idler belt pulley bracket
88894005 Water pump kit
10055880 Water pump pulley
10055879 Crankshaft pulley
10463172 Generator assembly 105 amp(reman.)
12117361 Generator connector (with lead)
10055798 Drive Belt Tensioner Assembly
10085752 Belt (fan, water pump, A/C pump, and generator)
10105212 Generator & power steering bracket
26010328 Power steering pump
14102096 Power steering pulley

Hopefully, you'll be able to see the relationship between the accessories and you can determine if the set up will work for you.

If you have the time- go to a salvage yard! Buy brackets, take pictures, then go get the pulleys. That should be a LOT cheaper than SDPC! Heck, use the PN's above and see what you can do through a discount house.

Here is the GM part number-
12497698







While I was on the SDPC site... I came to the conclusion I want to put one of these in my next project-
http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/157...erformance-Series-Street-and-Strip-Engine.htm
small_1533932_2836379.jpg
 
I know this in an old thread but I wanted to add a few things I found out on my 82.......the GM serpentine kit will work just fine on most older C3's maybe pre-78, but on my 82 the stock crankshaft pulley hits the crossmember.

At first I thought this might be something with a my car, but a few other owners have said they ran into the same issue.

One opted to modify his crossmember, I ended up installing a underdrive crankshaft pulley. I'm going to fire it up this weekend.......hopefully I won't have problems with the rest of my accessories :eek

If I do I'll let you know..................
 
Call me old fashion,

But I have had an alternator belt brake on me on my move from Cali to NM. I hate to imagine if it was a serpentine belt that broke, and it left me stranded on some empty highway.

On the other hand, I guess you could say also that if the water pump belt were to break, I would be on the same situation...:ugh
 
I have converted the ZZ4 in my 1980 to a serpentine kit. The first time out with the car after I converted, I wound the motor up... and the belt came off!:mad I also didn't have any tools in the car.

I now carry a spare belt and the tools to install it. Piece of cake!:beer
 
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