6.9e-series serpentine swap

[Johnboy]

I've have an 86 van I'd like to convert to a serpentine belt.
I also have a 93 7.3 parts truck with everything to get it done.
Does anyone know if this swap is easily done? I understand the alternator differences and ac is not an issue as neither vehicle has it.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Sounds like it should be fairly straight forward.

 

[daazedjmcfarland]

Can you get away with using the stock pulley on alternator? I've taken it off doing the 3g upgrade and I really don't want to take that off again (I used ingenuity because I'm too broke to get an impact wrench). I already deleted my vac pump and I took the belt off my a/c long time ago.

Also, quick question....will moving to a serpentine setup tighten up the slack on this alt. belt?

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[IDIoit]

you must use all of the serp stuff. the vacuum pump is different.
but is a complete bolt on. the only mod you will have to do is to the vacuum lines.

 

[Johnboy]

Thanks everyone. I'll be pulling the trigger on this project. I'll post some pics when it's done.

 

[Macrobb]

It'll all swap over just fine.
However... Why bother?
I'm pretty on the fence about which is better - Serpentine belts are easier to replace(one belt vs 3)... But so much more that can go wrong.

If *anything* fails on your serpentine setup, you lose your water pump. I've currently had both my serpentine trucks(92, 93) fail on me within months of purchasing them - on my 93, the tensioner bolt actually sheared off, leaving me in the cold and dark, 3 miles from the auto parts store on Sunday night at like 9PM. An hour from home.

On my 92, the vacuum pump siezed out of the blue(I checked it not a couple days before and it spun smoothly). This heated the belt to such an extent that the two ABS tensioner pulleys(that I had just replace) literally melted, then the belt shredded itself.

In *both* of these cases, it wasn't just a matter of slap a new belt in place - parts got broken.

I've had an alternator sieze on a V-belt truck - cut the belt and continue on.

I've had an alternator belt just disintegrate too(it was old, long past replacement time). I was able to take my time, find a good place to pull off and replace it. I could have driven home if I wanted to, without the alternator.


This is why I'm not convinced in the 'superiority' of the serpentine belt system... Single point of failure, anyone?

 

[daazedjmcfarland]

This is why I was asking if a serpentine belt will get rid of the slack that is on these alternators. Two main benefits I see with a surpentine belt is ease to replace and the belt tensioners. And to be honest I think that manufacturers can make serpentine belt setups for cheaper.

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