Serpentine Belt Drive - Big-Block Chevy System

This is the Kwik adapter system kit with seven flat aluminum brackets and all the fasteners you'll need to bolt the system to the engine. These pieces adapt the small-block brackets to the block and accessory boltholes in the big-block heads.

This is the Kwik adapter system kit with seven flat aluminum brackets and all the fastener

Big-Block Serpentine
As good as the small-block system is, we ran across a cool conversion kit that applies these same pieces for a big-block. We introduced you to Kwik Performance with our LS-series engine accessory drive story back in the May '09 issue ("LS Accessory Drive Swap Guide"). The Kwik folks also identified a need for an inexpensive big-block serpentine accessory drive and discovered that with seven simple aluminum brackets, it's possible to adapt the small-block serpentine beltdrive system to a big-block Chevy with kits for standard-deck and tall-deck Rat motors. It's really that simple. For the record, GM did build a big-block serpentine beltdrive system starting in the early '90s through model year 2000 in 3/4 and 1-ton trucks, Suburbans, and other large vehicles. It is possible to find this system, but you're more likely to find it in a truck-only boneyard-and you'll pay more for the privilege. GM Performance Parts also sells a complete serpentine beltdrive system for either standard- or tall-deck Rats with or without A/C.

All the previous parts we detailed for the small-block are used on the big-block with the exception of the water pump. In fact, Chevrolet interchangeability is so good that even the small-block serpentine water pump pulley can be used on the big-block. Kwik's brackets easily adapt the small-block system to the Rat, and the only other critical components you need are a big-block serpentine crank pulley and a different belt. We also found a cool aluminum crank pulley from March Pulleys that is only a few dollars more than the factory steel piece.

In addition to the small-block parts necessary, we picked up a big-block water pump from Rock Auto and a big-block serpentine crank pulley from our pals at Burt Chevrolet. The Kwik brackets bolt to the front of the big-block as shown.
In addition to the small-block parts necessary, we picked up a big-block water pump from R
Here's the entire big-block system installed on a 396 big-block. We chose to retain the A/C-delete pulley, but this could just as easily be dressed with an early '90s truck A/C compressor. This conversion will also probably require an aftermarket swivel thermostat housing.
Here's the entire big-block system installed on a 396 big-block. We chose to retain the A/

Small-Block Accessory Drive
Description	PN	Source	Price
Used factory mounts and pulleys	Used	Junkyard	$40.00
Alternator, BBB Precision	N78617	Rock Auto	$76.99
Power steering pump, A-1 Cardone	207840	Rock Auto	$46.89, plus core
Water pump, Gates	43114	Rock Auto	$25.79
Belt tensioner, Gates	38108	Rock Auto	$35.79
Tensioner pulley, Gates*	38001	Rock Auto	$16.82
Idler, Gates	38006	Rock Auto	$12.69
Belt, Gates	K060956	Rock Auto	$21.79
A/C-delete pulley, Dorman	34152	Rock Auto	$27.79
GMPP A/C accessory drive, SBC	12497698	Scoggin-Dickey	$808.80
GMPP non-A/C accessory drive, SBC	12497697	Scoggin-Dickey	$550.00
GMPP accessory drive brackets, SBC	12497869	Scoggin-Dickey	$325.00
*This is used to replace the tensioner pulley, so there is no need to purchase a new tensioner.

Big-Block Accessory Drive
GM 454 crank pulley	10085753	Burt Chevrolet	$73.59
Used factory mounts and pulleys	Used	Junkyard	$40.00
Kwik adapter plate kit, std deck	K10004	Kwik Performance	$129.00
Kwik adapter plate kit, tall deck	K10014	Kwik Performance	$129.00
ACDelco 454 water pump	252722	Rock Auto	$36.79
Belt, Gates	K060970	Rock Auto	$26.79
GMPP A/C accessory drive, BBC	19172805	Scoggin-Dickey	$770.00
GMPP non-A/C accessory drive, BBC	19172806	Scoggin-Dickey	$642.00
March aluminum 454 crank	4351	Summit Racing	$79.88

SOURCES
Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center 5901 Spur 327 Lubbock TX 79424 800-456-0211 www.sdparts.com	Kwik Performance Springfield MO 417-955-1467 www.kwikperf.com
GM Performance Parts P.O. Box 33170 Detroit MI 48232 800-577-6888 www.gmperformanceparts.com	March Performance 5820 Hix Rd. Westland 48185 734-729-9070 www.marchperformance.com
Burt Chevrolet Englewood CO 800-345-5744 www.burt.com	Rock Auto 6680 Odana Road Madison WI 53719 866-762-5288 www.rockauto.com