[JC455]

TTT .

[fyrebird68]

Parts are back from the laser! I got them to Dan. I think he wants to tinker a little more in the garage (he's got two-three Pontiac blocks), and then we'll be trying it out on my goat.

[JC455]

Any news?

[HWYSTR455]

I know I've been following this one, and am chompin' as well!

[fyrebird68]

Prototype is done. I have it in my shop, and the idea is to see if I can install in on the 455 I have sitting on the stand. Afterwards, he makes a parts list of pulleys, bolts and belt needed. Then I install it on the 400 I have in the GTO.

He's been trying to adapt it to both types of water pump bolt patterns and snout lengths. He has two prototypes - one puts the alternator on the other side of the block and moves the PS pump higher, the other one retains nearly original locations for these items.

[JC455]

Good to hear. If it were me, I'd concentrate on the 69 and up pump, as I'm guessing that the majority of your customers are going to be 2nd gen Bird folks, followed by LeMans/Tempest folks who aren't afraid to modify their cars. There are always ol school Pontiacers who don't care (me) about the (perceived loss of)value, they just want that trick street car that gets DRIVEN.
Tell your friend we very grateful for his efforts!

[fyrebird68]

I installed it on the 455 on the stand last night. Very simple, no problems. We have one small spacing issue to work through, and we need to identify parts sources for some pulleys.

Approach is to offer two tiers of kits:

1. Everything you need for a bolt-on out-of-the-box installation.
2. The basics, and you supply your own pulleys and belt. This appeals to the junkyarders who like to save money by "sourcing" their own parts.

It looks really nice (stainless). Probably putting it on the test car (my 68 GTO with '73 400 motor) next week. Hope to put a few miles on the kit before the car goes down for the winter.

He's started on the Mopar kit.

[Karch]

Glad to hear, Bob. Thanks for the update.

Any chance you can post some pics, or is it too sensitive of an issue for now?

Thanks.

[fyrebird68]

He made me promise no pics until he gets the patent application filed. He's close, though.

[goldeneyee]

I have the March serpentine system without air. The idler pulley mount is slotted and can be adjusted to enhance tension as well as the alternator. The March system is expensive and most probably not worth it but there are limited alternatives.

[fyrebird68]

Originally Posted by goldeneyee

I have the March serpentine system without air. The idler pulley mount is slotted and can be adjusted to enhance tension as well as the alternator. The March system is expensive and most probably not worth it but there are limited alternatives.

The prototype tensioning system has no slotted adjustments and no springs. (Dan will kill me if I say more.)

[JC455]

Great news Bob!
I don't know what you guys are using, but maybe consider an OEM belt tensioner- GM's have always been simple to me, and the Ford's and MoPar's can't be much different.

[JC455]

????????

[Pzary3233]

Hey Bob,

Any news on the kit?

[fyrebird68]

Got it. One more test-fit on the 455 and I put it on the GTO. Probably this weekend.

[JC455]

Does it fit?

[Bnick166]

Hey...i'm workin' on a CV-1 headed 468 build and this would top it off nicely......too bad there isn't more info....

[Pzary3233]

Bob, how is the test fit?

[JC455]

Any news?

[fyrebird68]

Test fit went fine. Unfortunately, the goat is down for the count, so a road test won't happen in the near future. ONce I get the interior back in the car, the serpentine wil go on.