Swap AC and Alternator

[jmanjeeper]

Good Evening!

I just ordered my crate motor and it has the serpentine system installed. The issue is, on my 86, the alternator is on the passenger side and the AC compressor is on the Driver side. On the new motor, they are opposite.

What do I do? I know the AC hoses should be good, but may be too long, maybe I can get shorter ones? BUt the bigger issue is the wiring.

I need to get the wiring for the alternator over to the other side, and the same for the AC compressor.

ANy ideas?

1986 C10 LWB, 383 stroker, locked rear

 

[Rusty Nail]

-maybe source a later model and buy a complete accessory system.

Like from a gmt800 or vortex..? Whatever junk they got in a salvage yard with same side b.s. u got.
Buy it ALL and sort it out on the stand!

Sadly you havent provided enough detail to warrant a more specific reply...nevertheless-
Good luck!

-NEXT!

 

[bucket]

Just get a manifold AC line for an '89 K5 or Suburban.

If you pull the wires out of the loom, you may find that they are long enough to go to their new location. Then just wrap with new tape and split-loom. You will need a harness adapter for the alternator, so that will gain you some length too.

 

[jmanjeeper]

The new motor has everything new. Ac, alt, power steering...water pump. Just the ac and alt are swapped on the new system compared to my current system. Not sure what other information i can give lol.

 

[jmanjeeper]

Just get a manifold AC line for an '89 K5 or Suburban.

If you pull the wires out of the loom, you may find that they are long enough to go to their new location. Then just wrap with new tape and split-loom. You will need a harness adapter for the alternator, so that will gain you some length too.

Thanks! I’ll take a look at the wiring and new ac lines!

 

[RoryH19]

This is a common swap from v belt to serpentine. As @bucket said, get the AC hose from a 89 90 burn or k5. If you go burb, it will need to be single AC only. Not rear air. For the alternator if it uses the same style as the serpentine of the 89 or 90 ot needs the 2 to 4 wire adaptor.
I used AC delco PT2145.
Also keep in mind the fan will turn in the opposite direction as the v belt. You will need a different fan.

 

[F-64]

Figure out how much more length you need. Splice that length of wire in the middle of the wire. Use the same size wire as the wire you are lengthening. Solder them together and heat shrink the joint.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Good time for an electric fan if he doesnt want to mess with clutch fans. I have a direct drive fan, so really anything is ahead of me.

 

[75gmck25]

You should check the model of the alternator. The 10si (your original) or 12si (a little newer), have a large gauge red charge wire on the BAT terminal and a 2nd two-wire plug, and that design is stock for your truck. However, they may be using one with a newer CS130 four-wire plug. If needed, you can get off-the-shelf adapters to convert your wiring to the newer plug.

If you extend the wiring I suggest pulling the complete alternator pigtail and wire from a newer truck with the alternator on the driver's side. The wire you buy at the parts store is fine for under the dash, but for under the hood you need OEM quality wire with cross-linked insulation that has a higher temperature rating.

On the newer GMT400 trucks they sometimes run the charge wire up from the starter to a multi-post wire junction block on the firewall on the passenger side. From there the charge wire runs over to the alternator. I like this setup because that wire junction gives you 3-4 additional posts to add battery-powered accessories. If you pull both the junction block and wires it will have fusible links where the wires connect to the block.

Bruce

 

[jmanjeeper]

Upon closer inspection, it isn't as I thought. The Alternator is still on the passenger side, but the AC is moved onto the passenger side as well. So I only need to get the K5 AC Hoses. I am asking them which plug the Alternator has to I can check mine. I have a 140amp currently...and the new one is also 140amp...so we shall see.

I need to check on the water pump rotation. This one has a Long Style Water Pump, I am not certain what I currently have. My current motor is not stock. It is a 69 Block stroked to a 383 and was built in Florida, before I bought the truck. How can I quickly ID what I have? The salesman is telling me that most just drop this in and do not need to replace the fan...but he is the salesman, and there are a plethora of vehicles this motor can be dropped in...so I want to ask the square pros.

Thank you all for the input! I am trying to prep everything so when the engine shows up, I install and run!

 

[bucket]

I was under the assumption that the serpentine setup was a GM setup, but those put the ALT and AC on opposite sides. I don't know what type you have installed on your crate engine.

 

[jmanjeeper]

This is the motor. I need to call the tech guy tomorrow, the salesman said the fan should be fine. But I want to make sure.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[bucket]

This is the motor. I need to call the tech guy tomorrow, the salesman said the fan should be fine. But I want to make sure.

You must be registered for see images attach

That's a stock type alternator for an '86, so you are good there. The compressor looks like a Sanden unit. You will probably need a custom AC manifold hose assembly.

 

[bucket]

Btw, that's an interesting accessory arrangement that I've not seen before. I like it.

 

[jmanjeeper]

Btw, that's an interesting accessory arrangement that I've not seen before. I like it.

I’ll call tomorrow and ask for model numbers. It’s all from blueprint. Couldn’t beat the price and warranty. They take care of military!