While there are no dues or fees for membership at El Camino
Central, we do rely upon member contributions to keep the site and server running smoothly. As membership grows, so does
site usage. Recently we have seen a huge jump in server load and bandwidth. As a result, at times we notice extremely
slow page loading. Many of you may have also noticed the new member rankings used to recognize supporting members.
Become a supporting member today and get your own cool rank!
Every little bit helps.
Show your support by making a
donation here:
Supporters
page
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 7:58 am Post subject: 4th Generation and GM Serpentine setups
Changing out the old pulleys from my 4th generation Elky I ran into some stumbling blocks. I used the serpentine setup from a 91 Chevy pickup. The system was complete with all bracketing and accessories included. It came with the A/C compressor, Alternator, Water Pump and the power steering pump. Most of the change out was pretty simple. Remove all the old stuff and all old bracketing. The main bracket or the serpentine system was one piece. It went on with no problems. I thought, in the beginning, that the serpentine set-up was not going to work because the PS pulley was just about touching the steering gear box. As it ended up I have the clearance I need only it's a very tight squeeze getting the belt in-between steering gear box and around the pulley. That was the only really tight spot, it ended up being just a little less room then the belt is thick so, I have to slide the belt in that once spot but the actual surface that the belt rides on is nowhere close to the steering gear box its just the very edge of the pulley. I also had to relocate the Heater hose that once went to the water pump and relocate the fuel line around the pulley setup. The top radiator hose fits but I'll no doubt change it out for one off a 91 model pickup. The fit just a little different but not so much I can't use the original one for now and possibly always. The AC hoses will have to be remade to fit with the compressor on the opposite side and I had to relocate the wiring harness for the alternator to the other side and hook it up as a one wire alternator.
So for anyone with a 4th generation Elky thinking about this conversion it works, with the older steel bracketing anyway. I would assume that the newer aluminum bracketing would also work. _________________ Home Site: http://www.elcaminoplace.com
1972 El Camino Custom 400
1976 El Camino Classic
1980 El Camino Super Sport
E-Mail: engstrvr@sbcglobal.net
ElkyPete
So where is the picture? Do you think that the same year setup would work on my TPI motor? The last truck setup I saw had a brace going acrossed the front of the motor - right where my air filter is located. http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/rick/tpibrackets007.jpg _________________ Rick Schaefer
72 El Camino
I don't have a picture of the "done" engine compartment yet. I had only one real concern, that I think I mentioned, was the pulley for the power steering pump was just small enough to miss the steering gear box. Not the whole box but the very back edge. I had to slide the belt between the box and the pulley.
I would take a measurement first. But if your 3rd gen is the same width or wider than the 4th gens then yes I would say it will work. I can pretty much say that its not going to work on a 5th generation Elky they are about 2" narrower, according to the differences in the Crossmember. I tried using a 5th gen Crossmember on my 4th and it was about 2" short. So I would say that is probably true for the engine compartment on a 5th generation Elky too.
Ours is heavier and mine is defiantly wider. I am pretty sure that yours and mine are the same width. I believe I can use a Crossmember from a pre 1973 on my 76. But none of this is a for sure thing. The fan shroud needed some modifying too. The fan had to be replaced with the one off the 91 truck so it would spin correctly but it was a little bigger in diameter so I had to adjust for that on the fan shroud. _________________ Home Site: http://www.elcaminoplace.com
1972 El Camino Custom 400
1976 El Camino Classic
1980 El Camino Super Sport
E-Mail: engstrvr@sbcglobal.net
Necoa #: 572
Location: 10(IL,MN,WI)
Joined: Jan 28, 2003
Posts: 3617
Year: 1984
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 12:46 pm Post subject:
I was considering installing the serpentine setup off a Camaro or Firebird. Anyone done this? What problems did you run into to? _________________ "The day we lose our will to fight is the day we lose our freedom" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8
Pete
I didn't make myself clear, I'm wondering if the TPI air filter will interfere with the support bracket from the serpentine system. I have a K&N filter which is just stuck on the front of the throttle body. See picture above - And the systems I've seen have a brace acrossed the center front of the intake.
rick
I could see it working. I think the only big issue you would have wouldn't be the air filter. The thermostat housing, water neck, is different but that should be able to be taken care of by using an adjustable or swivel housing. My stock housing fit and works but I will change it because it is close to not working. The upper house, in other words, is so close to the Alternator that it sits on the bracket.
As far ad the center where the air filter is, that is where the tensioner pulley is and it dips down there. So I don't see a big issue with that part. My concerns are the thermostat housing and the pulley for the Power Steering pump. Its all about how the engine sits in the truck. The are low on the front, or they sit down further than they would in a pick up truck. I could see a Camaro or a Firebird being a better fit and they had TPI installed with the serpentine system from factory. That would, I think, be a better match. We have a truck but its built off a car so a car's devices would be a little better fit, I would think. _________________ Home Site: http://www.elcaminoplace.com
1972 El Camino Custom 400
1976 El Camino Classic
1980 El Camino Super Sport
E-Mail: engstrvr@sbcglobal.net
Here is what it looks like off the truck I have that picture
It looked nasty but it worked.
The belt wraps under the tensioner in the middle. _________________ Home Site: http://www.elcaminoplace.com
1972 El Camino Custom 400
1976 El Camino Classic
1980 El Camino Super Sport
E-Mail: engstrvr@sbcglobal.net
Necoa #: 906
Location: New Orleans
Joined: May 03, 2003
Posts: 6
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 1:51 pm Post subject:
I used the kit from chevrolet for their crate motors. The tension pulley is on the lower left(facing front of engine) and would not have the clearance issues with a tpi. The only changes I had to make were for the altenator and air conditioning. The kit came with all the aluminum brackets, bolts, belt, compressor, altenator, power steering, water pump. Oh yeah, I did have to go to a reverse flow fan, because of the reverse turning water pump.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Calendar
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Staff Site
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
Do you think that the same year setup would work on my TPI motor? The last truck setup I saw had a brace going acrossed the front of the motor - right where my air filter is located. 
I'm wondering if the TPI air filter will interfere with the support bracket from the serpentine system. I have a K&N filter which is just stuck on the front of the throttle body. See picture above - And the systems I've seen have a brace acrossed the center front of the intake.
