Making progress to get my engine in my firebird.

[@-MindDrive-]

I just watched your build progress with your serp conversion. I am also converting my 69 cad 472... I started the process like 13 years ago but LIFE happens and I've picked up the tools again about a week n a half ago. When I started the conversion project, MARCH systems had not developed their kit yet. Like you, SOOOOO MANY trips to the boneyard getting pulleys and different tensioners. I'm running a dual alternator system (both single wire), with PS and AC but with a dual belt system (one belt for water pump and 2 alternators, the other belt for AC and PS). Had quite a few different versions mocked up... so much scrap. I used polycarbonate to make a system similar to what you did with the cardboard/steel but felt it was bulky and cumbersome. 3 or 4 different versions later I settled on what I am finalizing now (this is all in a 69 Deville). One thing I instantly noticed with your build was where you put your tensioner. I think you're going to run into problems with belt slip as the crank is going to pull the tension out and slack up on the passenger side... especially when your AC clutch kicks on. I spent so much time doing as you did... put things together, take apart, adjust, put together, take apart---repeat--- and what I found was as the crank pulls the belt against the whole systems resistance and the tensioner pulls out the leftover belt slack between the last source of resistance and the crank pully like the idler in a 10speed bike. I hope I'm wrong in thinking you run a risk of throwing a belt with a build like yours cause serpentine belts can do some major damage getting wrapped around hoses n wires. I'm not fluent in making videos... or speaking while trying to coordinate making videos but I'll upload some of what I've done. I really wanna see you ripping smokey burnouts in your swap!

[@shaggyscarshop]

Thanks for the views and tips. After i put the engine in, i mocked the serpentine system up in the car and found i was slightly off with the AC pump, some interference with the control arm on the passenger side. I think/hope it will work lol. If it doesnt i can always go back to the drawing board. I cant wait to get my bird running and do some burnouts, something about having 600ftlb of torque in a old F-body makes me smile. Thank you again for the tips and i will have to keep my eye on the belt situation, worst case it will make for some good videos lol.

[@VinylVillageGarage]

Those engine mount bolts are a bit difficult. There is just a bit more room if you do them before you put the control arms on. I want to hear that engine run. Good luck

[@shaggyscarshop]

Yeah. I didn't remember that when I test fit everything, it was only the subframe. When I put the engine in I had to drop the rack too. It was kinda a bugger, but I guess problem solving is what it's about.

[@grewellnic]

Good video bud