Thread: Opinions Please..

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I agree that some are simply huge for no real reason. Every one of them adds 3-6 inches of length, maybe more, to the engine. I recently read a post on another forum where a guy was complaining about over heating on a 40 Ford. The picture showed a gigantic front drive that was shoved right up behind the radiator like a cork in a bottle. I suggested that there was most likely no airflow due to there being nowhere for the air to go. A simple V-belt setup would have freed up a lot of airspace directly behind the radiator. Basically, I was told the guy spent a ton of money on that setup and wasn't changing it.

I also think, that like big wheels (over about 17"), serpentine drives can look out of place on older cars. They just don't "fit in" to the overall look of the car.

Others are poorly designed. A fellow I know broke several studs on his aftermarket LS front drive near the power steering pump. Finally, the small tab that took the stud broke off the block. Whoever designed that setup put way too much stress on that dinky little cast iron tab.

I think Holley got it as right as it can be with their mid-mount setup for the LS. Everything mounts to the custom water pump housing and it is about as compact as you are going to build a full accessory drive, but it still adds length that was to be dealt with. BTW - The Holley setup was how we salvaged my friends damaged block. Wasn't cheap, but was a LOT cheaper than replacing the 406 stroker short block.