Would Like Some Opinions re: Short/Long Water Pump and Drive System

[bridgeguy]

I finally am back to putting my '74 K5 together (been idle a few years due to work, family, health, etc. You know....that life thing that everyone has going on) and have been trying to decide what drive system would be a better choice.

I have the complete system from the '74 (including all the A/C brackets, compressor, etc.) as well as the complete system from a donor '85 that is providing the replacement engine for the '74.

The good news is that at least the '74 is smog-exempt in beautiful Kalifornia (at least today, tomorrow that may change if the State figures they can make a dime on changing the rules) so there are no smog pump issues, etc. to deal with as that will be noticeably absent no matter what goes on.

I have toyed with the idea of going to a serpentine drive system, but can't really convince myself that it would provide a real benefit but I am open to hearing opinions about that option as well.

I'm hoping that some of y'all will have some solid reasons that I'm not thinking of or missing the boat on on which would be the best accessory drive system so please let me know what you think as I need to get this up and running ASAP. I made the fatal error of going out with some friends and now I HAVE to get my Blazer up and running before I go nuts as I am really missing having it moving around under its own power.

Thanks in advance and I really hope to hear something that will make this a quicker decision instead of taking me forever to decide upon. For some reason this should be a quick decision and I keep changing my mind. Go figure.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

I'd go with whatever is cheaper and easier, and will get you driving faster. For an older motor, I see no benefit to a serpentine belt system.

As far as a long/short water pump, the only difference is if your timing tab is on the timing cover, then you need the long to clear it. And of course your pulley situation with the other accessories.

 

[bridgeguy]

Honestly, that is exactly what I was looking for. I spent some time screwing around trying to find all the bits and pieces from taking apart the original drive system and finally opted to go for the system off of the '85 as it was still intact. Sometimes the most obvious solutions are the ones that I ought to pursue initially.

I already know that as soon as I get this thing back together and running I will find every nut and bolt off of the original '74, but for now I'm going with your suggestion and running with what appears to get me moving the quickest.

Of course, I have totally dissassembled, beadblasted, and painted every bracket, nut, bolt, etc. and am taking WAY too long trying to make everything "just right" instead of just getting it running, having fun, and THEN fixing it all as I figure out what needs to be fixed.

 

[Blue85]

No reason not to run the system that came with the engine. In general the heads got more mounting holes as time went on, so sometimes an older head will be missing a hole for a newer bracket. If you delete the smog pump and/or A/C you just buy shorter belts. The water pump needs to match because it has mounting features on it for other brackets to bolt to (at least for your '85 setup). There are at least 3 different pulley hole patterns for SBC water pumps, too, apparently to prevent mismatch in rotation and height.

 

[K85 Octane]

If you have some good junkyards around you, a full serpentine belt setup with accessories isn't that expensive. You can find a truck or car that is missing the air pump, that way you don't have to deal with that. I did, so I have one. Keep all the stud/bolts/nuts from the serp system as they are metric IIRC.