Serpentine drive?

[73Vert]

Hey folks,
Trying to find out if there is a stock configuration (F-body, Vette, etc.) serpentine belt drive out there that will retrofit onto my 73?
I don't want to deal with transforming the water pump into a reverse flow system.

Alternatively, can one of these systems be modified to work with the standard rotation water pump?

I can't afford the March system (or similar) and feel that a stock system can be just as nice.

Thanks!
Paul

 

[bossvette]

I am interested in this also, but I think all serpentine systems run the waterpump in reverse

 

[AKRAY4PLAY]

i got the March set-up from Summit. the directions are the same and the pullies are offered in several configuations. the kit was $550 if i recall right. it was not listed in the catalog or online. great kit, only problem is the power steering reservior cap gets put under the water pump, major pain to get cap on and off, i ended up cutting part of my cap to make things easier. i am not aware of any other set-ups that cost less by the time you're done. Brian

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

Why mess with it in the first place...

-for any questionable molescule gain in hp, why on earth would anyone want to go to the absurd trouble and expense of a serpentine-belt system (also imposes far greater wear-inducing radial-loads on the waterpump/alternator/AC-pump/etc.), -with its complex, heavy, bulky, and troublesome necessary spring-tensioners and all (note: -many mechanics way overtighten inherently self-energizing V-belts, -if they are slipping then they are generally old & dry, -thus needing replacement); if one wishes to reduce the rotating-inertia, go to magnesium pullys (1/6th weight of steel); --really, the design-elegants of a V-belt is so utterly simple to deal with, i can think of more cost-effective ways of lavishing money on my vette...
~Bob vH

 

[AKRAY4PLAY]

-for any questionable molescule gain in hp, why on earth would anyone want to go to the absurd trouble and expense of a surpentine-belt system, -with its complex, heavy, bulky, and troublesome tensioners and all; --the elegant effectiveness of the V-belt is so utterly simple to deal with...
~Bob vH

Bob,
there are a couple reasons. first, the serp belt has far more suface area contacting the pully. this aids in better traction and less slippage. so you can run less tension on the belt and save the bearings in your acc units (ie. longer alternator life). in higher reving engines, v-belts slip and cause wear and heat greatly reducing the life of the belt. you actually have less rotating mass with sep systems, the pullies are aluminum instead of steel. and the tensioner on the March set-up is the same as your stock system. Brian

 

[Artsvette73]

When I put my 383 stroker in my 73 this past summer. One of my goals was to convert to a serpentine belt system. I used off the shelf GM parts. Or you can visit your local boneyard for the parts. Doner vehicle a 91 to 95 S10 with4.3,I used all the
components alt/ps/ac. It is a reverse flow water pump Edelbrock. Everything fit in between the upper control arms,and the aluminum brackets look like they belong there. I had to rewire the alt using the CS 130 a kit available from Madd Electric.
I also went to dual cooling fans because of the long style Water pump and that look like it belongs there.The plus is all components sit foward of the valve covers, so you dont have to remove anything to work on valvetrain, or less to change a leaking valve cover gasket.And you only have to carry one belt instead of three. and you know which belt will break.....the one in back of the 1 and 2. Carry one belt one wrench and in five minutes your on the road again.
And no my car will never see a man with a clipboard and a pen in his hand
walking checking everything. Modern technolgy in a great car nothing like it.
Jack

 

[Bullitt]

Take a look at this...

... it's on a budget, but you might score all of this from a junkyard and stay on the cheap. Throw a new bearing on the idler pulley and you're good to go, I hope!

http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/serp.html