Bertram33 User Forum

Has anyone found or installed a serpentine belt conversion for the big block GM motors? I am thinking it might be a good up grade to the v-belts and while i have found some kits, I was wondering if any b33 owners had done this with success?

Thanks in advance.

Jay Sanford
"Spar Oom"
86 SF MkII
7.4/454 Crusaders

Never had a problem with the Merc. setup other than 'what were they thinking when they put the raw water pump and the coolers here?' I can see the engineers laughing when they said to themselves this will be so hard to service that they won't.

Retman,

You got that right, I’ve had my FBC since 2004 and dread servicing the raw water pumps.

I usually take the pump and bracket off as one unit. Getting that top bracket bolt out from between the engine block and the coolant hose is a challenge. I ended up shortening the length of the bolt to make it easier, but it’s still a pain.

Rich

I do this as well, since on mine the two bolts are visible once i climb down into the bilge.

But the question remains, would moving to even a two belt serpentine belt set up, be worth the trouble. The wider belts seem like they would last longer and not create the belt dust.

You can buy all of the conversion pulleys in multiple diameters from Summit or Jegs. The only one that will be difficult to find will be the seawater pump pulley. As everyone stated though......why go through the trouble unless your existing pulleys are all corroded. Mercruiser changed the mounting brakckets on the newer models. Still 4 bolts on the bracket, but not anywhere near as bad to get at as the old ones were. I keep a spare pump and just swap out the entire pump instead of just the impeller. Lot's easier to do this on a bench instead of the bilge.

I had crusaders in my previous boat and everything about that engine layout was superior to mercruiser. That said the merc's still run good.