Serpentine Drive Differences?

[truckster]

I've read that there are differences in the serpentine drive systems for the L31 between 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks, and that S10 brackets are the same as the 1/2 tons. How are they different? Please post any pics if you have them. I have a nice bead-blasted and clearcoated set from a 1 ton, but if the 1/2 ton brackets sit lower, I might choose to go that way. I'm planning on hitting the wrecking yards Monday or Tuesday.

Bonus question: What year did GM go to electric oil pressure gauges in their light trucks?

As always, I appreciate your help.

[clinebarger]

I'm not aware of any difference between L31 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton brackets. Vortec 4.3L S/T trucks used a extension to fill the power steering pump which I've added to fullsize trucks in the past.

[truckster]

Thanks. I've also got a 3500 Express van and the setup looks the same as what I have.

[toolboxchev]

I have one of those setups from an 88 Camaro, looking into figuring this out for a future build. I know the A/C pump area is a void for me.

[gmc684x4]

I do not see differences in setup from 1/2 to 3/4 ton trucks
avoid the early stamped steel ones

Main difference from the pre 96 setup is water pump pulley has a standard sized centring hole where the 96 up had a larger hole to accommodate the screw on fan
The other difference is the ac pump mounts differently

I have not looked at the S10 4.3 setup should be the same

Smog pump setups I have seen will work by simply removing smog pump and run a ac only belt size

Express vans are different the alt is on the pass side and ac on the drivers side

you can run either the pr 96 setup or the post 96 setup depending on which fan style you prefer just need the proper water pump

Camaro setups will differ from the truck setup how much will depend on the year
I know 94 Lt1 setup sucked as you had to jack the car up to change the belt which would suck on the road

Pic with Alt on the drivers side is 92 setup with smog pump deleted
Pic with just bracket is 92 ac bracket no smog pump
pic with alt on passenger side is 99 3500 express van

[truckster]

My son's 98 Silverado 1/2 ton also has the AC on the driver's side and the alternator on the passenger side. In looking through the wrecking yards, it looks like all the L31 engines were that way. I think where they changed was where they went from the TBI to the Vortec.

I have a 95 Z28, and I don't think I'd like those brackets on my truck. The AC compressor is way down low on the passenger side. I'm sure it would be easier to service on the truck, but on the Camaro it's a nightmare.

[b454rat]

Both my Yukon and tahoe have the A/C on the driver side. I thought you might been on to something, wanted to run a Ramjet intake with the whipple, stock set up requires some grinder work....

[Bigdav160]

Camaro and Corvette (non LT1) brackets are different than pickups. They allowed room for the throttle body on my stealth ram efi manifold

[gmc684x4]

Been ten years since i had my 99 c2500
And i found the bracket from the 96 c1500 parts truck
Over time i forgot the alt switched sides

I will be going with this setup for my 72 due too the new cs144 alt that is on the 99 van

[jonmc56]

Maybe this is helpful:

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ccrp...ne-belt-drive/

[truckster]

I decided to stick with my 98 Vortec brackets, mostly because they allow the use of a better AC compressor. The fact that I had already glass-beaded them and painted them with clear ceramic paint was just a bonus. Visually, it puts the AC compressor a little higher than I wanted, but I can live with that.