Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

BB502 · Active Member

Want to put serpentine system on 502

Dave Seitz · Mega Poster

The factory units do not look that nice compared to the aftermarket units. I pulled mine off the C4 when I parted it out, and I have heard guys look for the Trucks and Minivans for the units. I have thought about just hitting the minivan for the Hydraboost as well so keep that in mind for yourself when you pull parts.
As far as good yard go I really don't know who is the best or lowest priced on U pull parts.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Keep in mind you will need a reverse fan blade also since it rotates in the opposite direction on a serpentine system. Otherwise, the air will blow out the front of the car instead of pulling through the radiator. Don't ask how I know this... biggrin

John D · 2K+ Club

About the only advise I could come up with is start looking in the yards for later model BB Suburbans. When you find one, take the ENTIRE front end of the engine off, and save all the fasteners. Then copy down the VIN number and don't lose it - this number is vital in getting replacement parts.

This way you'd get the correct rotation waterpump & fan, a high output alternator, p/s pump, and all the doodads.

The only downside to an OEM setup is they seem to hang all the accessories off one side of the engine. The brackets/castings can be cleaned up and are really a nice piece of work. The aftermarket tends to distribute the stuff on either side.

bowtie · Secretary

Don't forget to look at oddball vehicles that people overlook like dump trucks, delivery vehicles and the like. If you aren't sure if there's a BB lurking, and can't get a hood open is to look at the wheels/axles. Pretty uncommon to have a 6 lug wheel and a BBC, stick to the 8 lug ones.

When I lived in B'ville, I made MANY trips down to Viking Salvage down hwy 3. There's also U-pull next to AAA in Rosemount.

-- Edited by bowtie on Saturday 15th of January 2011 08:50:05 AM

SShink · 3K+ Club

Forgot to add, make sure the brackets are completely flat against the block when bolted on or it will vibrate itself to death and snap off bolts in the heads and they come crashing down into the fan and crank pulley... Let's just say the previous owner didn't do that and it stranded me about 1.5 hours north of Rhinelander, WI on a Sunday morning just about in the middle of nowhere. Thanks to some creative welding help (it's good to caravan with other car guys!) and 2 hours later, the bolts were out/replaced and the brackets installed correctly. Some of the members know that story... wink

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Its very slim you will find a complete setup in any junkyard for a BBC. Let alone a vehicle with the BBC still in it to begin with. SBCs are a different story though. Your best bet is going to be places like Craigslist for a take off system someone had. Ive seen them there before.

About a month ago, someone on TC had a complete March setup with everything they were selling. It was an AC kit but had all the brackets and components including alt, compressor and P/S pump. Was asking about 900 bucks IIRC, that is or was a pretty good deal. It might be still available.

67ss · 1K+ Club

I would check in to this option, going to be lots easier to find and cheaper.

http://www.kwikperf.com/bbc_serp_kit.html

Looks like one of the club members has a small block set up for sale even.

Pushrod · Active Member

I would add one thing, watch for power steering pump to steering gear box clearance with serpentine set-up on BB in a Chevelle, may require use of type 2 pump with remote resovior. Check out March performance they make a relatively inexpensive set-up for the BBC.

67ss · 1K+ Club

Good point, I went back to the companies web site and there picture is of this setup on a 69 ss 396 chevelle.

BB502 · Active Member

Thanks for leads, I went to team C last night and couldn't find did serch and then went thru ad's till last October couldn't find it??

BB502 · Active Member

Stan, Did you do a serpentine conversion ??

67ss · 1K+ Club

Unless I read it wrong enganeer has a small block setup listed in the stuff being brought to Karl's.

SShink · 3K+ Club

BB502 wrote:

Stan, Did you do a serpentine conversion ??

No, I 'inherited' one already installed on a SBC that caused me some problems (the reference below to breaking bolts off in the head because it wasn't installed correctly). I ended up selling the SBC and installed a 454 instead with the standard pulley setup.