Serpentine w/ac system

[bowt1ed]

Looking for what has worked (or not) for you guys regarding serpentine belt pulley systems (incl/AC). I am just about at that stage with my 57 (2nd Gen sub, 383 stroker/700R4) and getting the plan ($) together. I know VA and March are popular (too bad GMPP doesn't come in polished), but truly value feedback I have gotten from you guys. Thanks.

Cheers, Jim

[gmachinz]

Just because its GM doesn't mean it has to look bad. Here's a couple I recently did-one isnin a 69 Camaro, the other is in my dads Jaguar (V8 swap). I also make CNC brackets to bolt a HO 140A alternator in place as well. My serp kits are not your typical GM ones because Ibuse specific parts from various cars.

[gmachinz]

140A upgrade!

[bowt1ed]

Thanks GM! Those do look nice. However, I believe I want to dress it up with polished/chrome a bit under the hood a bit, all while maintaining the performance that ZZ383 Deluxe offers. Hey, at double nickels now (tomorrow), I'm finally able to build the truck I've always wanted to (The Navy kept me busy the last 31 years!). Anyone else had good results with theirs?

Cheers, Jim

[gmachinz]

No problem. I cleared the new tensioner assembly, blasted and painted the brackets a graphite metallic, pulleys are a satin black, braces are gloss black then cleared, VHT high temp paint and clear on the water pump, cleared aluminum AC delete pulley and all the hardware is wirebrushed clean then oiled for a like new appearance. The aluminum t-stat is cleared and outfitted with both temp sensors for the 3-speed Mark VIII. All in all with everything in place, it looks striking but IMO the best part is its all GM stuff so no worries ever finding parts for the setup.
I'm kinda big into murdering out the intakes black and adding some aluminum fittings and such for an visual splash.

[_Ogre]

ten years ago the va serpentine kit was $1400
that was enough to convince me to make my own

[crossfire84]

I guess I'm getting old, I don't get the murdering out thing.

[fluffster]

Jim,
I used a serpentine system from a 93 SILVERADO and sent it to the Chrome shop in Dallas. $175 out the door.

Thanks for your Service, the Army let me rest last year after 30+.

Regards, Charlie

[bowt1ed]

Thanks Charlie, and thank you for your service as we'll! Got any pics of your chromed Silverado system?

[Greenlee]

I used a stock serpintine set up from a 1990 Suburban. I sand blasted the brackets to clean them up a bit. I got the AC compressor from Vintage Air. I recall that they offered a polished version. Mine is non-polished.

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by crossfire84

I guess I'm getting old, I don't get the murdering out thing.

I want to slap people for saying "murdered out"

[gmachinz]

You must have a long arm! Lol

[OneOffStroker]

Jim, did you see the serpentine setup that I put on the 350 that I bought from you? I pulled it from a '93 or '94 Cadillac Fleetwood. It looks pretty decent, and only cost me about $80-100, including the A/C compressor and alternator. Of course, I'm going to blast and powder coat it, which could be a good option for you as well.

[bowt1ed]

Hey Matt. No, didn't see it. I'll have to check it out next time I'm over. Thanks!

[BigBlocksRule]

My guess is that after 31 years in the Navy, you don't care for anything that's any shade of grey!
Thanks for your service - and pass that along to the family, most don't realize the toll that military families pay.
I've seen some F-body setups that were customized, lightened and powder coated. They looked great, but were about half the cost of a nice billet aluminum setup once all the work and powder coating were factored in.