79corvetteTPI

i am thinking about doing a serpentine belt conversion on my 79, anyone done this? what kit did you use? i would like to keep my a/c...

thanks


[Modified by 79corvetteTPI, 10:13 AM 7/22/2003]

mrvette

The best and cheapest way to do it is get the parts from an '88 -91 vette, and they all bolt on....you may find a missing boss on pass head for one a/c bracket bolt, forget about it, and make sure you have an appropriate brace from one outer bolt end of the a/c compressor to the header bolts....
it's a realtively simple changeover....you can use a gutted airpump if you want...or a Breathless airpum eliminator kit....

GENE

pws69

I looked into this for my '69, but gave up because it seemed like it was going to be an expensive PITA (i.e. new, reverse rotation water pump, all new pulleys, "special" items (like your A/C pulley, idler location), etc.). Had too many other things to do....

I do like the looks and reliability, though!! I might consider it again if the V-belt setup aggravates me in the future!




[Modified by pws69, 11:04 AM 7/22/2003]

sb69coupe

Perhaps this is an ignorant question, but why would you want to do this conversion? It seems to me that the multiple belt system of old provides much more isolation of any single failure. If the A/C compressor siezes up, you can just cut the A/C belt and continue on with a functioning alternator, water pump, etc.

What are the benefits of going with the serpentine system?

Cookwithvette

Never worry about tensioning again.
Never worry about thrown belts again.
Only one belt to change and spring loaded tensioner makes it a 5 minute job.

I do agree though, if one component goes then you're kind of screwed.

79corvetteTPI

here are a few choices i found at gm parts direct, prices aren't that bad

with a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497698

without a/c compressor
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497697

bracket & pulleys only
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497869

groovyjay

Have you given any thought on Vintage Air's Front Runner conversion? I'm running March serpentine kit on my BB and I absolutely love it!

www.marchperf.com

www.vintageair.com

79corvetteTPI

those billet sets are really expensive but very nice....

now i have another question about this setup
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...ATID=2475.html

will my 79 a/c connections connect right up to this compressor? how about the alternator?


[Modified by 79corvetteTPI, 1:52 PM 7/22/2003]

pws69

It doesn't look like any of these include the "reverse rotation" water pump - which I understand you MUST get when converting to a serpentine belt - so you need to add that also.

dath

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12497869

says it includes a water pump. I don't know if it is reverse rotation, but it says:

This base serpentine belt drive system includes bolts, nuts, bracket, braces, pulleys, and water pump to install on small-block Chevrolet engine.

Budman68

See below.



[Modified by Budman78, 6:14 PM 7/22/2003]

shawn_cake

I used the MARCH serpentines on my BBC and SBC 1980 Vettes.
Great quality - but a BIG price tag. I've had no problems with the MARCH product.

dath

So are you insinuating you used the kit listed at the URL? Did you have to replace your power steering pump and alternator, or did you just put the pulleys provided in the kit on? How about the water pump they give you, it fits? I'm assuming it isn't the short style pump that the corvette normally uses? Sorry, but for the price, I am highly interested in doing this as I'm guessing that I'll have nothing but trouble with my V-belts once I get my new engine in...

Budman68

I think there is a write up on http://www.corvettefaq.com about my set up. It's not the kit and consist of basis boneyard late model vette parts.

mrvette

IF the parts are still available from GM, I would use the '88-91 vette setup and convert to the offshore comressor which fits the GM hoses directly...and the TPI vette water pumps.....get the complete set from a Vette junkyard, online is probably the easiest way to do this....buy the compressor and water pump new locally, and maybe use a Breathless air pump eliminator kit....

GENE

timbo79

I am in the middle of this conversion now. Reason: TPI set up and need for clearance. I am using the setup from an 85.. why, I can still use the R4 compressor and bolt up the connectors very easily. I have heard all of the negatives on R4's, but I want to retain. I bought the majority from Dino's Corvette Slavage BUT I woiuod go elsewhere as I recieved a broken bracket and he did not send me the crank pulley.
Easy swap and bolt patterns line up. Keep R4 A/c, BUT need to use newer style p/s pump with remote resevoir.. not a rwal problem. Myself or anyone else can walk you through it. Basic difference between this and 88-91 is the R4 Compressor.
March is expensive Yikes... After buying a few chromed peices.. pulleys upper alt bracket, etc.. total kit was about 500 but remember this is not a "kit" You will need to piece it together. You may be able tpo do it a bit cheaper, but this is still a whole lot chaeper than March. Budman has a nice system also.
Pics in sig don't reflect current project.
E mail if you have ?'s Be sure and put topic in your header!!

Good Luck.

Sting Raycin

Budman,
Your set-up looks great. I am going to put something like that on my ride once I get all this other crap done.

spikezz4

On a ZZ4 engine, we used an 89 Corvette set-up as per MRVETTE's suggestion. All the parts and belts are available, and best of all, all GM.
Spike