Please school me on the 87?? hybrid pulley system

[HeavyD]

So I went to look at a 350 engine block, and the guy pulls out a set of pulleys from an 87ish tbi truck that had the ribbed area for the alt and the classic Vbelt for the ps.

He wants $150 and said these are "rare, unavailable repro in steel, and "a must have" since they won't squeal yet don't cover the engine like a serp system does.

Quick google search shows that 6 rib systems from March etc are aluminum, usually underdriven, and while great looking are definitely not steel stock replacements...even rock auto doesn't show anything.

So after this babbling I am asking:

1. Are they actually hard to find??

2. Does this setup with ribbed belt work a lot better than a vbelt? Goodbye squeal? Alt squeal more than ps usually?

I always liked the vbelt unobtrusiveness but hate the noise...this hybrid thing is new to me.

Thanks.

[Dead Parrot]

I was at Pull-a-part Saturday and saw one of these. Don't remember the vehicle. The mixed belt types on the main pulley caught my eye. Had never seen a setup like that. Other then noting the oddity of the dual belt types didn't stop long. IIRC, the serp type belt was on the alt. Since I left it, probably very rare and valuable. No clue on noise.

Vehicle may have been in the car section. Might expand your search parms to include 87 era cars.

[HOGDADDY]

My 86 non-TBI came with that mixed pulley/belt system also.
I have since replaced it with a GM serpentine kit.

[THI]

That set up was used on 1985 through 1988 cars and trucks with a small block. I would not call it rare, but better than a "v" belt for the Alt. Would rather have a Serpentine system.

[44th Miss Inf]

The 88 fi 454 that was in the 88 crew cab i just sold had the same hybrid set up.

[kipps]

I had the partial serpentine setup that you describe on a 1987 v20. I had plenty of frustration, keeping the power steering belt tight.

If I was sticking with a SBC engine, I would definitely be pulling a serpentine setup off of a 96-98 Vortec engine, and using that.

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by HeavyD

He wants $150 and said these are "rare, unavailable repro in steel, and "a must have" since they won't squeal yet don't cover the engine like a serp system does.

Thanks.

Go back and tell him that "rare" doesn't mean valuable. For instance, it's "rare" that I accidentally crap my pants.

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

For instance, it's "rare" that I accidentally crap my pants.

and it certainly isn't desirable......

[streetrodchev]

My ‘87 V30 has this belt system. No alternator squeal.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Go back and tell him that "rare" doesn't mean valuable. For instance, it's "rare" that I accidentally crap my pants.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by streetrodchev

My ‘87 V30 has this belt system. No alternator squeal.

The alternator will never squeal with this set up. But the a/c will!! I have fought to get the right tension on both my 86 and 88 so the a/c belt doesn’t squeal. It’s either too loose or so tight it makes the truck vibrate when the a/c compressor kicks on. Can’t seem to find the sweet spot on either truck.

[streetrodchev]

Originally Posted by Corts60

The alternator will never squeal with this set up. But the a/c will!! I have fought to get the right tension on both my 86 and 88 so the a/c belt doesn’t squeal. It’s either too loose or so tight it makes the truck vibrate when the a/c compressor kicks on. Can’t seem to find the sweet spot on either truck.

Mine doesn’t have A/C, so I can’t comment on that.

[HeavyD]

Hmm, not really a positive response on this setup. I took a quick look online thinking lots of places would sell ribbed pulleys but it seems to be either totally serpentine conversion or old school vbelts. The mix just didn't take off, and apparently the ribbed belt pulleys in place of the regular vbelt system wasn't in demand either.

Thanks for the responses, and fwiw I rarely crap my pants too..but those days are coming I'm sure.

[kipps]

Originally Posted by HeavyD

Hmm, not really a positive response on this setup.

There's nothing really wrong with it, but it was only a halfway deal. My problems were all with the v-belt on the power steering. My v-belt struggles had nothing to do with this specific arrangement. It's just that v-belts are less than ideal in general, compared to a full serpentine setup. The ribbed alternator belt worked perfectly.

If you have one and it works, or if you're trying to a keep one of those trucks all-original, then keep it. But if you're going to the bother of converting, then might as well go with the real deal, and install a vortec full-serpentine setup. Make sure you get the reverse-rotation water pump as well to go with that.

[aotte1]

A few photos of 1986 C10 w/350, non air. Have no problems with it. For a non-air set up, like it. Photos not the best for showing pullies, but hope they help some. Also pullies are the same from the V6 engine, maybe easier to find?
Last photo shows crank and water pump somewhat.
NOTE: the alternator design may be different from 1986 to 1987?