serpentine belt conversion

[sixty8c10]

I know there are few guys on here that have done this conversion. I have been searching and cannot find one post that goes through the whole installation, from donor vehicle thru special holes that need drilled to completion. Has any one got this info?

[Palf70Step]

I used the setup off a 94 4.3 on mine. Nothing really to drill on my crate engine. swap out the water pump, alternator and power steering pump for those that run on the serpentine setup. I took the hi pressure connection off the old power steering pump and put it on the newer pump that way I can use a stock (68-72 style) line.

[sixty8c10]

I have just heard that in order to use your old style heads there needed to be some drilling done to one of them in order to use a set up off a 4.3.

[Slammed70]

Originally Posted by sixty8c10

I have just heard that in order to use your old style heads there needed to be some drilling done to one of them in order to use a set up off a 4.3.

Only if you have the acclaimed "camel hump" heads that dont have any accessory holes in them.

[68C15]

if your heads have 3 holes on the front its an easy swap. other wise it can get real hairy.

[krue]

If you have the holes it's easy,

[sixty8c10]

good, got the holes....now let me get this right.......all I gotta do is get a new reverse flow water pump for my engine, then go get an entire set up off a 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, whatever......replace needed parts, clean it and bolt it up to my engine, install electric fans then its off to the races.....is that everything, or did I miss something?

[jerry moss]

if you decide to do it, let me know. i have a serp set up off a 4.3 astro van.

[BUDDY]

Originally Posted by sixty8c10

good, got the holes....now let me get this right.......all I gotta do is get a new reverse flow water pump for my engine, then go get an entire set up off a 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, whatever......replace needed parts, clean it and bolt it up to my engine, install electric fans then its off to the races.....is that everything, or did I miss something?

That's it, except you could, (if you wanted to), also take the clutch fan off of the donor as well. Otherwise, that's it.

Later,
Buddy

[boraxman]

I have a serp system ready to install the same time I switch to my aluminium heads, but one the one head is a mounting bolt hole short. From reading about the conversion I understand you can get by without this bolt. I may "add" the hole anyhow for peace of mind.

[Palf70Step]

sixty8C10...The only thing you have to watch for is if you get a setup off a 4.3, they had some with different size lower/crank Pulleys. No quick way to determine which 4.3 does which. Measure the dept of your harmonic balance and compar it to the one on the 4.3. If they are the same thinkness harmonic you are OK, if the 4.3 is narrower, then you'll have to get another lower pulley to get them to line up.

[BUDDY]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

sixty8C10...The only thing you have to watch for is if you get a setup off a 4.3, they had some with different size lower/crank Pulleys. No quick way to determine which 4.3 does which. Measure the dept of your harmonic balance and compar it to the one on the 4.3. If they are the same thinkness harmonic you are OK, if the 4.3 is narrower, then you'll have to get another lower pulley to get them to line up.

That's good to know! Could you just pull the balancer from the 4.3 as well, or would that not be a good idea because it's from a 4.3 & not the 5.0 or 5.7 that you have for the swap? How could you source the new pulley that you might need?

Thanks,
Buddy

[neonlarry]

good, got the holes....now let me get this right.......all I gotta do is get a new reverse flow water pump for my engine, then go get an entire set up off a 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, whatever......replace needed parts, clean it and bolt it up to my engine, install electric fans then its off to the races.....is that everything, or did I miss something?

P\S takes 4 holes, but like has been said you can get by without it. But if you have A\C you will have to have hoses made for the new compressor (you can't use yours). If you don't have A\C you will have to get an A\C delete pulley. You will also have to do some rewiring for the new alternator. You may or may not need to: bend a new fuel line, replace the thermostat housing, replace the fittings on the back of the power steering pump, get different radiator hoses, get a radiator with a heater return fitting. Thats all I can think of for now.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by BUDDY

That's good to know! Could you just pull the balancer from the 4.3 as well, or would that not be a good idea because it's from a 4.3 & not the 5.0 or 5.7 that you have for the swap? How could you source the new pulley that you might need?

Thanks,
Buddy

That I do not know. My guess would be no, but I am just a shade tree (with no tree) mechanic

[Slammed70]

Originally Posted by BUDDY

That's good to know! Could you just pull the balancer from the 4.3 as well, or would that not be a good idea because it's from a 4.3 & not the 5.0 or 5.7 that you have for the swap? How could you source the new pulley that you might need?

Thanks,
Buddy

Yes, indeed you could. Any SBC/90 degree V6 will interchange.

After all, a 4.3 is a 350 with two holes missin.

Infact my neighbor uses SBC 6in rods and .040 over pistons in his Syclone.

[sixty8c10]

It sounds simple enough, I am doing enough mods to my truck right now that alot of the little stuff like fuel lines, a/c lines will be easy.