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alternator upgrades?

TTT. Since we were somewhat on topic of this "semi serp" setup, anyone know the actual name of it?
 
AND THERE WAS LIGHT....Just finished this swap and it is great, no more dim lights, better winching and did I mention the lights...:saweet:
 
I just picked up a 94 amp alt from Napa (12SI model). It appears to be a direct bolt on 3 wire with a V-belt pulley already on it. Napa #13-4356.

The 94 amp is listed for the 1985 K30 with the 7.4L. The generic one wire from Autozone lists the same number for the 85 K30 as for the 79 K5 with the 350.
 
I just picked up a 94 amp alt from Napa (12SI model). It appears to be a direct bolt on 3 wire with a V-belt pulley already on it. Napa #13-4356.

The 94 amp is listed for the 1985 K30 with the 7.4L. The generic one wire from Autozone lists the same number for the 85 K30 as for the 79 K5 with the 350.

How much did you pay for it?
 
How much did you pay for it?

It retails for $94. I paid $86 for the lifetime warranty with my discount. It was about $12 more than Autozone, but, Autozone's has the serpentine set-up and an additional terminal on the back that looks like a small ground plug. I didn't want to bother to switch it to the v-belt.

One more thing, Napa's is clockable as well and they provide the instructions on how to do it.
 
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Update:

I have been running this alternator for the last couple of months. I had upgraded my electrical for my charging system last year so no changes needed there.

It bolted right up, no clocking necessary and is working flawlessly.
 
You might have better luck with this one. It was last posted in 2009.

I not picking on you, I'm clicking on the darn things too and then seeing their age.
 
The semi serpentine setup refers to the v - belts going to the power steering and A/C. The serpentine belt goes from the water pump, crank shaft and alt. It was on the 86 Monte Carlo IIRC. The pulleys have both the v-belt and serpentine. With this setup, the stock water pump can be used.

I got mine off from e-bay while I was converting the alternator over.

EDIT: The most difficult part was finding the correct length belts. I got rough measurements and bought a couple on each side of the measurement to get the best fit. The change over itself was easy. I've been running this for a couple of years with no issues.

Here's a set on ebay as a reference. EBAY LINK
This is the description offered at the ebay auction:
...set of serpentine pulleys crank and water pump pulley fits Camaro Firebird Monte Carlo Caprice Chevy GMC truck with small block alt belt is serpentine other 2 are v-belt came from 86 Z-28 with AC and power steering good shape..
Pic from the ebay listing:
semi serp_1.JPG

semi serp_1.JPG
 
On mine - The higher output alternator slipped with a single v - belt. No belt slippage on the alternator with the serpentine. The serpentine pulley on the alternator was a little smaller giving a better spin speed for charging at lower RPM's. I was running dual electric fans and a small pusher for the A/C. I have since removed all of that mess and went back to the mechanical fan so I have NO issues with charging.

It also opened up a v - belt option. I have one open belt slot on the pulley for either an on - board welder or air compressor if I decide to go down that road.

79Rusty may have some additional benefits.
 
I was having problems throwing belts and the belts would squeal all the time, I tried different kinds of belts, different pulleys, and still had problems.

This was in my Nova, which spent alot of time at 6000 RPM+:D
 
Just found a couple of pics of my setup (they were on my build thread - doh!!). I've since put the correct pulley on the alternator, went back to the mechanical fan, pulled the factory heater and AC stuff and put in a Vintage Air system.

P1060402.jpg

P1060403.jpg

P1060402.jpg

P1060403.jpg
 
yeah and more to come!!!!!!!!
I actually threw out my old pontiac trans sport alt..... think it was bad..

bought another from an online junkyard... for $45 shipped to my door.... they offered 30 day warranty so I expect it works... still havent used it..

I also have the normal plug without the resistor ($6 from autozone) and the $25 ac delco one with resistor... so I will get back to trying it...

however since my truck does not have any wiring in it.... think the alt upgrade will be last..... well second to last....

first all new wiring going in with the ezwiring 21 kit
then fire truck up.. if runs... upgrade alt...
then headlight relay upgrade.... so will be a while before I post back about my alt upgrade status.... :haha:


REALLY!!!!!!! im sucha toolbag..
RootBreaker, Oct 14, 2008

and I still havent done it!!!! ok im going to tackle this first before my windstar fans and 9 offroad lights... definitely needed!!! but too damn cold out.
 
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