year serpentine belt systems started - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jcab · 10-24-2003, 11:59 AM

Anyone know what year Chevy started using the serpentine belt systems? I think it was late 80's early 90's, but was wondering if anyone could confirm this, or give the exact year?

Thanks

**Captkaos** · 10-24-2003, 12:15 PM

It was originally developed for the '79 Mustang. But it was first used on fullsize trucks in 1987.

bigd65 · 10-24-2003, 12:31 PM

i have the one from an 87', it is steel and mounts all the way aroung the front of he engine. if your thinking of the swap, go with the newer, i believe 90' or 91' with the 2 piece aluminum brackets. there are no rear support braces, where as the steel one has 5. GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

BTW, the aluminum set up is just more sturdy and riggid so you dont get the belt vibration from te AC compressor

jcab · 10-24-2003, 12:59 PM

Great, thanks for the info guys!

*1FaastC10* · 10-24-2003, 02:32 PM

my 86 has a serpentine/v-belt setup on it.

723/4tontank · 10-25-2003, 12:10 AM

I think thats what my parents 87 burb has on it. it's got the TBI 350 in it.

Tx Firefighter · 10-25-2003, 11:33 AM

All true ^^^^^

The year 87 started with true full serpantine system. Like was said, the early ones used a steel main bracket. We had a lot of them come in to the dealer with cracked brackets. Then, GM came out with the aluminum bracket setup, which cured the cracking problem. Definitely go with an aluminum setup. Don't forget, the 4.3 setup in trucks and Astro vans is the same. Bolts right on the small bolck. Usually, Astro van V6 stuff is way cheaper at the junkyard.

GSXMEN · 10-26-2003, 12:03 AM

Pretty sure that '90 was the first year for the 2pc. alum. brackets. Slim chance the changeover started with some of the '89's.

When looking in the junkyard's for these, don't forget to check Caprices and other RWD GM cars. The '91-'93 Caprices (especially the 9C1's) are great donors for engines/trannies/coolers, etc.

*racedvl* · 10-26-2003, 09:38 AM

My 87 TBI burb has a flat alt. belt, and the rest are v-belts. My 88 is a serp. set-up.

Mike C · 10-26-2003, 10:21 AM

GM Performance parts sells the setup new. It comes with all of the brackets, bolts, belt, and pulleys AND a water pump, AC Compressor, power steering pump, and a CS130 alternator. $750 with AC, $550 AC delete. This is a smoking deal if you price the accessories new.

Admittedly you could get the setup from a boneyard for around $200, but you might have to replace any and all of the accessories. I wouldn't want to get my AC working with a used compressor and I would want a new waterpump as well.

lukecp · 10-26-2003, 02:11 PM

I have also seen the hybrid serpentine/V-belt setup on a '86 K10....

Mike C · 10-26-2003, 10:50 PM

The so-called hybrid setup is just a v-belt setup and a ribbed belt setup. It uses a multi ribbed belt (what is found on a serpenentine setup) but is a conventional manner. It drives the alternator and water pump, but does not use a reverse rotation pump. It does not have a tensioner pulley and must be adjusted just like your v-belts, so it is not a "serpentine" setup. The '86 TPI motor I have was setup like this. It makes for a nice swap into a street/strip car just running an alternator. You have to drill out the spot welds holding the v-belt pulleys to the ribbed belt pulley on the water pump. The addition of an aftermarket crank and alternator pulley tops it off.

grada · 01-14-2016, 01:16 PM

Will a 1998 305 serpentine belt system go on a 350 chevy engine?

**kwmech** · 01-14-2016, 01:45 PM

Yes it will

10-24-2003, 11:59 AM	#1
jcab I need more money.... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 145	year serpentine belt systems started Anyone know what year Chevy started using the serpentine belt systems? I think it was late 80's early 90's, but was wondering if anyone could confirm this, or give the exact year? Thanks __________________ Jay. '68 LWB C10 '74 Duster ("It's not Rusted out, it's been modified for weight reduction") '91 Civic '97 Saturn '88 Celica AWD turbo (R.I.P.) 273 hp Mustang Killer

10-24-2003, 12:15 PM	#2
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	It was originally developed for the '79 Mustang. But it was first used on fullsize trucks in 1987. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

10-24-2003, 12:31 PM	#3
bigd65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Lake Jackson, TX. Posts: 1,930	i have the one from an 87', it is steel and mounts all the way aroung the front of he engine. if your thinking of the swap, go with the newer, i believe 90' or 91' with the 2 piece aluminum brackets. there are no rear support braces, where as the steel one has 5. GOOD LUCK WITH IT. BTW, the aluminum set up is just more sturdy and riggid so you dont get the belt vibration from te AC compressor __________________ 2004 Silverado Crewcab (Dark Spiral Gray)

10-24-2003, 12:59 PM	#4
jcab I need more money.... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 145	Great, thanks for the info guys! __________________ Jay. '68 LWB C10 '74 Duster ("It's not Rusted out, it's been modified for weight reduction") '91 Civic '97 Saturn '88 Celica AWD turbo (R.I.P.) 273 hp Mustang Killer

10-25-2003, 12:10 AM	#6
723/4tontank One ugly but fast truck Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Everett, Wa Posts: 104	I think thats what my parents 87 burb has on it. it's got the TBI 350 in it. __________________ 72 3/4 ton Fleetside. 468/th400. Motors in. Runs great! Will smoke the right rear all day long. Time for body work.

10-24-2003, 02:32 PM	#5
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	my 86 has a serpentine/v-belt setup on it.

10-25-2003, 11:33 AM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	All true ^^^^^ The year 87 started with true full serpantine system. Like was said, the early ones used a steel main bracket. We had a lot of them come in to the dealer with cracked brackets. Then, GM came out with the aluminum bracket setup, which cured the cracking problem. Definitely go with an aluminum setup. Don't forget, the 4.3 setup in trucks and Astro vans is the same. Bolts right on the small bolck. Usually, Astro van V6 stuff is way cheaper at the junkyard. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-26-2003, 12:03 AM	#8
GSXMEN Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 337	Pretty sure that '90 was the first year for the 2pc. alum. brackets. Slim chance the changeover started with some of the '89's. When looking in the junkyard's for these, don't forget to check Caprices and other RWD GM cars. The '91-'93 Caprices (especially the 9C1's) are great donors for engines/trannies/coolers, etc. __________________ Scott

10-26-2003, 09:38 AM	#9
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	My 87 TBI burb has a flat alt. belt, and the rest are v-belts. My 88 is a serp. set-up.

10-26-2003, 10:21 AM	#10
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,713	GM Performance parts sells the setup new. It comes with all of the brackets, bolts, belt, and pulleys AND a water pump, AC Compressor, power steering pump, and a CS130 alternator. $750 with AC, $550 AC delete. This is a smoking deal if you price the accessories new. Admittedly you could get the setup from a boneyard for around $200, but you might have to replace any and all of the accessories. I wouldn't want to get my AC working with a used compressor and I would want a new waterpump as well. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

10-26-2003, 02:11 PM	#11
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I have also seen the hybrid serpentine/V-belt setup on a '86 K10.... __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

10-26-2003, 10:50 PM	#12
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,713	The so-called hybrid setup is just a v-belt setup and a ribbed belt setup. It uses a multi ribbed belt (what is found on a serpenentine setup) but is a conventional manner. It drives the alternator and water pump, but does not use a reverse rotation pump. It does not have a tensioner pulley and must be adjusted just like your v-belts, so it is not a "serpentine" setup. The '86 TPI motor I have was setup like this. It makes for a nice swap into a street/strip car just running an alternator. You have to drill out the spot welds holding the v-belt pulleys to the ribbed belt pulley on the water pump. The addition of an aftermarket crank and alternator pulley tops it off. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

01-14-2016, 01:16 PM	#13
grada Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: joliet il Posts: 5	Re: year serpentine belt systems started Will a 1998 305 serpentine belt system go on a 350 chevy engine?

01-14-2016, 01:45 PM	#14
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,393	Re: year serpentine belt systems started Yes it will



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