[ERIC AULL]

The gents at Billet Specialties have a great system....and will talk tech with you....just sayin' I believe the waterpump is an Edelbrock unit...it came with the kit....this product went together so smoothly...I couldn't believe it ...QUALITY stuff!!!! Richie Hoffman 516 316-5914 assembled the engine....he loves to talk Pontiac tech!!!!!!

[Interceptor]

Well? How is it all working?

[SMH1987FFB]

My pick-a-part is having a half price weekend so I got almost all I needed including an alternator for $68. I even scored a crankshaft pulley from a diesel F-250. I did find that a power steering pulley from an 86' V-6 Blazer does not fit the shaft. The bore is to big. I will go back tomorrow and keep looking. A traditional Pontiac 400 with a stock looking serpentine set up should be pretty cool when I open the hood of my 87' Firebird. Thanks to all that contributed to this thread.

[NeighborsComplaint]

While I admire the ingenuity and fabrication skills in this thread, other then constant tension, how is a serpentine belt superior to conventional V belts?

[TedRamAirII]

Originally Posted by NeighborsComplaint

While I admire the ingenuity and fabrication skills in this thread, other then constant tension, how is a serpentine belt superior to conventional V belts?

1. More surface area for the belt to grip. Twice I have had cars with alternators seized and the engine would not spin. I thought the engine was bad. Disconnected the belt and all was well. Try that with a V belt.

2. With a tensioner, the belt cant be over-tightened. So bearings like water pump, PS and Alternator have a longer life. Over tightened v belts put a lot of strain on components.

3. Carry 1 belt with you. Most old cars have 3-4 belts. You know what a PITA it is to replace 4 belts, or to change 1 you may have to remove 3 ; )

4. The Multi Groove belt takes up less room. you dont need a 3 groove v pulley anymore.

[FrankieT/A]

Way less resistance for one.

[Chicagogoat]

More belt wrappage and tension around the pulleys vs v-belt is the main thing which means less belt wear due to less slippage. Also a serp belt has more contact surface on the pulleys, it's no wonder thrown belts are virtually eliminated.

[SMH1987FFB]

Did I just get lucky with the bolt spacing using a 96 head? I found I only needed to slot the holes slightly using the 14102584 AC mount and it bolted up to the head. No adapter needed. The lines clear just fine with just a little adjustment. I'd like to upgrade to Aluminum Edelbrock in the future. I may have to make an adapter then if the hole spacing is different with modern heads.

[SMH1987FFB]

More pics

[SMH1987FFB]

It will only let me upload one at a time even though they are only 76K. Last pic.

[SMH1987FFB]

Ok I see that hood clearance could be an issue with some cars. This is going in an 87' Firebird and I have about an 1/8" clearance from the hood. I'll have to message the hood structure a bit just to be safe.

[jimmo]

Hey..pretty cool!
Just an update, after some initial alignment quirks were sorted way back when, my system has been running quiet and trouble-free for lots of miles. Im still diggin it every time I open the hood.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by jimmo

Hey..pretty cool!
Just an update, after some initial alignment quirks were sorted way back when, my system has been running quiet and trouble-free for lots of miles. Im still diggin it every time I open the hood.

HI jimmo,
good to hear from you,happy to know your system is running trouble free

[SMH1987FFB]

Originally Posted by jimmo

Hey..pretty cool!
Just an update, after some initial alignment quirks were sorted way back when, my system has been running quiet and trouble-free for lots of miles. Im still diggin it every time I open the hood.

Thanks for doing all the hard work sorting out the parts and configuration. The only issue I am concerned about with the compressor in this position is the wrap on the water pump. I'm bringing the idler pulley in as low and close as I can to the water pump pulley. Just enough to get the belt around the idler pulley. I hope it is enough to avoid belt slippage. I'll post a picture of my set up once I get everything rigged properly.

[jimmo]

Originally Posted by Ollie

HI jimmo,
good to hear from you,happy to know your system is running trouble free

Hi Ollie, Thanks. Yea Im still here.... mostly lurking and skimming thru. Work and projects have kept me pretty busy this year.

[jimmo]

Originally Posted by SMH1987FFB

Thanks for doing all the hard work sorting out the parts and configuration. The only issue I am concerned about with the compressor in this position is the wrap on the water pump. I'm bringing the idler pulley in as low and close as I can to the water pump pulley. Just enough to get the belt around the idler pulley. I hope it is enough to avoid belt slippage. I'll post a picture of my set up once I get everything rigged properly.

Yea, I noticed the holes almost lined up but the bigger reasons for the adapter were to use more fasteners and locate the compressor lower and to the left (viewing the front of the motor) to get that extra belt wrap on the water pump. Is your hood clearance issue the AC? If so, you can kill two birds with one stone.
I noticed my vid hosting site is no longer working. There is a vid back there of the belt install Ill try to find and repost using youtube.

Keep us posted on the progress!

[jimmo]

In hindsight I should have taken a video of the installation of the 3 old V belts for comparison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1iv...ature=youtu.be

[SMH1987FFB]

Originally Posted by jimmo

In hindsight I should have taken a video of the installation of the 3 old V belts for comparison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1iv...ature=youtu.be

Video won't load. YouTube says it's private.

[jimmo]

oops. try now, I think I forgot to hit the "publish" button

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by NeighborsComplaint

While I admire the ingenuity and fabrication skills in this thread, other then constant tension, how is a serpentine belt superior to conventional V belts?

The "Run Time to first squeal" keeps me using the Vee belt system.