1981 monte carlo

[rookie81]

Sorry to turn this around!!!!What if I just used v-belt I have, and switch from 2 groove pulley to a 3 groove. Install so I can get the motor running and finish car. When car is done I could convert or just add the ac bracket and compressor for the v- belt? This car is going to be driven and not a show car. I was wondering what stock exhaust manifold would work the best with that 350 and the Gbody. The 95 stock extend out from head and would have trouble clearing a few things. I do have a few header styles laying around and they seem like a problem also. Thanks anyone! I am running the 350 with carb and dual exhaust with cross member I already built.

 

[clean8485]

rookie81, what engine did you originally have in the Monte Carlo? Was it originally a V6 car, or did it come from the factory with the small block Chev in it? This would help to try to figure out what kind of V belt accessory drive that you're trying to use on the car. I'm not sure what you mean about switching from a 2 groove to a 3 groove pulley. Which pulley are you switching? If you want to go with a V belt drive, then you should be able to find acceptable matching parts from any number of vehicles at the local junkyard or classifieds.
As for exhaust manifolds, if you're looking for something that will give you the best exhaust flow, while still having something that looks close to stock for your car, try to find a pair of exhaust manifolds from a late 3rd gen ('87-'92) F body (Camaro or Firebird), that came from the factory with the 350 engine. These manifolds should fit your Monte without a problem, and have a larger outlet that the regular 305 manifolds. Of course, a good fitting set of headers would be a better choice, if you can find them. Good luck.

 

[rookie81]

Thanks. It was a v6. I have the 350 that someone else put in but they eliminated the ac. There is a 2 grove pulley and it drives the alternator and steering pump. In order to drive a third accessory like the ac I would need the third groove in the cam pulley, correct? OK, I have two sets of headers from other 350 motors and one set of stock manifolds from the 95. The stock from the 95 van seem like they won't work because it sticks out to far from head on drivers side. One set of headers might be from Patriot and they might work. The third set are Hooker Competition from about twenty years ago and seem like to many modifications for a driver.The suggestion you gave for the f body exhaust helps if I choose that direction. I live in Illinois and ac isn't important for the next 6 months and I want to start the motor! That is why I might just consider swapping the v-belt stuff and then figuring it out later.

 

[clean8485]

You would need the third groove in the pulley on the crankshaft. If all you want to do is start the engine, I wouldn't worry about the 3 groove pulley for now, because you said that you don't need the A/C for the next 6 months. For now, you can run the car with the 2 groove pulley, while you shop around for a proper serpentine setup. Hope it works OK for you.

 

[rookie81]

Does anyone have any idea what ac bracket for v belt would look like on sbc with carb? Where I might get one or off of what?