Every time I need a part for my later-model GMC, I go to the dealer, they run my VIN, and (as long as it’s still available) they give me the price. I bought said part and moved on with my life. When it comes to my ’48 Chevy, that rarely applies, as pretty much everything beneath the chopped-top sheetmetal is NOT STOCK.
Eddie Motorsports’ (EMS) complete SB Chevy V-Drive—yes, V-belts for the good-ol’ 350—in their bronze Fusioncoat (available upon request) finish to complement the Chevy’s root beer exterior. As shown, kit comes with a Powermaster 170-amp alternator, Sanden A/C compressor, coated PRW short water pump, and all necessary brackets/hardware to install. So, let’s get to it!
That said, when I was having some cooling issues with the truck as we were wrapping things up trying to (once and for all) get her on the road, I had a nice, long conversation with Alan Johnson in regards to ordering and subsequently obtaining a brand-spanking-new brass radiator from Johnson’s Radiator Works. Well, once we received the radiator and mounted Vintage Air’s new brushless 19-inch fan, we (myself and Ryan Manson) quickly realized the following: the truck’s non-stock SBC, with its long water pump, mounted in a non-stock front frame clip, posed a clearance issue with the snout of the long pump and the motor of the electric cooling fan. OK, fine.
So, the easiest solution would have been replacing the pump with a short SBC version and retrofitting all the bracketry to accommodate. But that’s too easy. Instead, a recent scroll of the interwebs revealed Eddie Motorsports’ (EMS) not-new V-belt front-drive system for the SBC/BBC engines: their aptly named V-Drive (the Raven Series). I’ve always loved the simplicity of serpentines on V-8 engines, but for the 350 in the ’48, the V-belt setup just seemed a bit more appropriate—plus, though listed as available only in three black finish options (matte Fusioncoat, gloss Fusioncoat, and gloss anodized), they will provide this kit in their other finishes as well, including the bronze Fusioncoat, which perfectly complements the root beer exterior!
Just like their widely used S-Drive, EMS’s V-Drive kits are comprised of a compact, billet CNC-machined bracket and pulley system that includes a Sanden A/C compressor, Powermaster 170-amp alternator, PRW short aluminum water pump, and, though we opted for the non-power steering version (manual rack-and-pinion), a GM Type II power steering pump with integrated plastic or upgrade billet reservoir (available for both power rack and traditional-style box). Everything you need to equip your SBC with a V-belt front drive system.
One of the best parts of the whole deal: the EMS V-Drive is easily installed in just a few hours … follow along to see just how easy!
Part of the reason behind installing the EMS V-Drive in the first place: Swapping out the old Brand X aluminum radiator for a Johnson’s brass cooling unit, complete with a brushless SPAL fan from Vintage Air (which we’ll cover next month)..…all of which didn’t jive (fit) with the existing mechanical fan and long water pump … so out they go.With the usual suspect (Clampdown Competition’s Ryan Manson) underhood, after the water pump gasket surfaces had all been thoroughly cleaned and the front of the engine tidied up, the mounting holes were chased with a cleanout tap.EMS provides thorough installation instructions—even though we didn’t at first and created our own sequence (an earlier version of the V-Drive uses a different pump mounting configuration)—pay close attention to everything that requires Loctite, antiseize, and RTV sealant, such as the stainless pump studs (which, after threading using two sandwiched 3/8 nuts), get the first of two supplied water pump gaskets with your flavor of sealant.Next, the right and left (A/C and alternator) brackets are set in place, with the second pair of water pump gaskets glued on.Now the water pump can slide onto the corresponding studs and be secured with the EMS threaded stand-offs (hand tight).EMS threaded stand-offs (hand-tight) lock the water pump and main brackets in place and accept the front brackets.Using blue Loctite, the crank and water pump pulleys are installed—make sure the beveled washers are facing with the tip of the cone out on the crank pulley).Since V-drive is a complete system — including the aluminum water pump, the pulleys line up perfectly.Starting on the passenger side, we installed the A/C compressor mounting bracket next. Before dropping the compressor into its “cradle,” the heater hose barbed fitting must be installed (with thread sealant).Here’s a close-up of that heater hose barbed fitting passing between the standoffs.A stainless shoulder bolt is provided for the rear pivot mount of the A/C compressor—make sure antiseize is used on its threads. Note: Since we don’t yet have a functioning air conditioning system, we left the supplied EMS billet compressor manifold off and did not connect power for the time being to avoid any damage to the compressor.Next, repeat process on the driver side with the alternator and its corresponding bracket.The V-Drive system includes a Powermaster CS-130 alternator with a custom fan and pulley. That tag proves that the unit has been tested for output.The A/C compressor clutch and alternator pulley covers can now be installed, again using blue Loctite. As you can see, our 3100 does not have power steering.With the compressor and alternator loose, both V-belts can be fitted in place—after which, the entire front drive bracketry can be tightened up before adjusting and securing belt tension.This system uses dual v-belts with traditional adjustable brackets rather than a single serpentine belt and tensioner arrangement.The complete (minus power steering—it’s a manual rack setup) EMS V-Drive actually complemented the oddly vintage (i.e., Edelbrock tunnel ram) small-block much, much nicer than I initially imagined it would—as we were about to find out, it fit and functioned even better!Before our test run, Manson had to run a new power supply and ground for the Powermaster 170-amp alternator since it now mounts on the opposite side of the engine. Also, since there is no heater in place yet, the corresponding fittings were capped with proper heater hose plugs.Snug as a bug in a rug—or in this case, an EMS V-Drive with a Vintage Air–equipped Johnson’s Radiator Works radiator! See you next month when we document that installation.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
