1.) I am swaping 300 I6 engines between a 83 (thrown rod believe it or not) and a 86 (rebuilt 40K ago)... Anyway as i was looking at the motor about to go back in, and I was wondering if there is a way to swap to a serpentine setup??? Is ther any advantage? I read a couple old posts and realize the water pump runs backwards on serpentine vs v-belt... Anyway just a random question I had running through my head...

2.) I am assuming I can run a newer 3G alternator off the origional v-belts without problems right??? If I can... what is a good junk yard car to pull the 3G from? I got a 130 amp from a 3.8L taurus for my 88 4.9L efi, but didn't know if that would work on the old 83 brackets...

3.) The most complicated question... I am going to be putting the Offy dual plane on with a Holly 390cfm carb next summer... I wanted to put a MSD Blaster or Street Fire coil on. However, the 83 has the big tube coil and larger distributor with a vaccum tube going to it... I noticed the 86 has the newer style cap, rotor, and distributor that would make going to a MSD coil a ton easier... My question is how do you swap to the newer distributor and coil style???? Is it hard? Is there a how to forum? I would think that a MSD coil would be a good upgrade especially with the new intake, carb and exhaust coming next summer right????

 

OK I ended up answering my own question on #3... Evidently after looking the 83 has a Duraspark ignition system... I found a article or two on how to upgrade the Spark...

Anyone help on #1 and #2???

 

The serpentine belt system is supposed to make maintenance easier (one belt) and in theory the automatic tensioner keeps the belt at a constant tension. They tend to be noisy and yes the pump and fan turn in the opposite direction of the V belt system. A conversion would involve changing the crank pulley too. Check the front of the engine and see if the older block and head has the holes for mounting all the brackets. The PS pump might use a different hose fitting also.
Regards
rikard