86 2.8 serpentine belt question

[ratrapp]

has anybody converted a carb 2.8 v belt over to serpentine belt without changing the timing cover and oil pan?the truck doesnt have factory a/c and the air pump was gone when i got the truck.id don't mind using an aftermarket kit if some one knows of one available.i wouldnt even be opposed to using serpentine belt with a manual tensioner if that was an option.i just don't feel like changing the oil pan just to use a serpentine belt.

[eaglescout526]

Not sure if many on here have done such. I know the 2.5L can be converted by simply changing all the pulleys. 
Maybe the S10 guys had better luck, if they kept the engine…

[ratrapp]

ive searched through some s10 forums and the only solution i could find was you had to swap the timing cover and oil pan.then i think you lose the mechanical fuel pump option as well.i don't want to start going down a rabbit hole to do something thats not super important.i hate new v belts anymore.it seems that you have to tighten them up several times before they finally quit stretching.i think self tensioning serpentine belts have ruined me lol.

[eaglescout526]

8 minutes ago, ratrapp said:

i hate new v belts anymore.it seems that you have to tighten them up several times before they finally quit stretching

What’s weird is I ran into an issue similar on my XJ where the belt would squeal, loosen it, stopped but became too loose when it was hot. Then I learned I had to get strong and really make the belt tight to not squeal and be an issue. Sometimes you just gotta really crank down on those tensioners. 

[ratrapp]

i know and sometimes you can get them too tight and itll eventually ruin your water pump bearing or any other bearing thats associated with it.its a slippery slope sometime.

[eaglescout526]

Yeahhhh it can be. 
 

Well that sucks that you have to do a lot of work to convert it to a serp set up. 

[Pete M]

classic trucks come with classic problems

[Gojira94]

All accessories on the Jeep 2.8 setup are set up for CW rotation. The early 90s 2.8 S-10 with serpentine setup has CCW rotation on the water pump, which would mean swapping out the timing cover as well (water routing shape on the inside of the cover). Would require a swap to a CS130 case alt., PS pump moves down. Hardest part, maybe the deal killer, would be trying to place the compressor. S10s used the Harrison R4 'pancake' compressor and almost no other compressor would fit in the S10 location for it. S10 accessory = bad option mostly due to AC compressor difficulties unless swapping for an R4/ custom hoses for it.

 

The 93-95 Camaro L32 3.4 also does CCW rotation of the WP, which would need the L32 or S10 2.8 cover and water pump, everything else CW rotation. Only accessory relocation for that would be the compressor (extend wires for AC, swap to CS130 case alt., probably swap to a Sanden R series compressor, custom AC hoses, different radiator hoses).

 

No simple/ cheap options, I agree, for now just get those belts tight enough 

[ratrapp]

i know and i don't even have to deal with the a/c compressor as the truck doesnt have factory air.