When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I’m changing from a generator to an alternator (among other things). On rams horn exhaust manifold the original generator was mounted on a support - a parallelogram piece - bolted to the manifold then the generator bracket bolted to the support.
Is there any problem bolting an alternator bracket directly to the rams horn manifold? Heat crosses my mind but then the metal support/bracket on the original generator mount has the same heat
Heat transfer is heat transfer, whether it's a generator or alternator. I should think you would be ok. I never understood the manifold mounting myself, because of the heat issue, but it seems to work. For decades, no less! One of the guys with an alternator conversion will chime in.
Is there any problem bolting an alternator bracket directly to the rams horn manifold? Heat crosses my mind but then the metal support/bracket on the original generator mount has the same heat
thanks in advance
Sting Ray era Corvettes bolt the alternator bracket to the exhaust manifold. If having done so caused any problems over the last 50+ years, we would have heard about it by now. I think you'll be OK.
I am sure there are several ways to do it. This is how my mechanic chose to do it on my 57 with Dorman repo 2 1/2” manifolds.Note the twisted steel strap bracket at the back the gives added strength.The rest of it was the original generator bracket.
Remove the generator mount bracket (either left or right).
Bolt on an alternator mount bracket (either left or right) where the gen bracket once was installed.
Attach the alternator to the alternator mount bracket.
Connect the wiring as needed (3-wire, 1-wire, whatever you have).
Done, too easy.
This is NOT a Corvette, BUT, it is a small block with a small block exhaust manifold and an alternator mounted to a left side alternator bracket on a left side manifold. Been that way on my 51 Chevy for over 50yrs.
kinabub, you might want to consider changing the amp gauge in the car to a volt meter and run the wiring that went thru the amp gauge thru a terminal block. An alternator puts out alot more than your old generator and you really don't want all that juice running thru your amp gauge. Search the archives on this topic and check out www.madelectrical.com for one wire vs 3 wire alternator.
I had to look at this a bit. I couldn't figure out the spacer between the manifold and bracket. Then I saw it. More of DZ's chroming work. You chromed the manifolds!
Last edited by Robert61; Feb 17, 2021 at 09:53 AM.
I had to look at this a bit. I couldn't figure out the spacer between the manifold and bracket. Then I saw it. More of DZ's chroming work. You chromed the manifolds!
When I was in college, I worked at a chrome shop.
I chromed LOTS of parts on the 51 Chevy, including exhaust manifolds. The heat was not kind to them.
After college, I was still very good friends with the owner of the chrome shop. He would let me come down at night after closing and chrome my own parts.
I bought the 56 in 73 and did the equivalent of a frame off. ALMOST everything that I removed got chromed. Front cross member, suspension, steering parts, rear axle housing and related parts, etc, etc, etc. I even disassembled the soft top assembly and chromed those parts.
WHAT A MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In 2010, I attended the SACC Natls in Bowling Green. I power washed the underside, then put the 56 up on stands and disassembled almost everything on the underside and polished EACH AND EVERY PART.
When I left home, by the time I got to the east side of Okla City---------------------------IT RAINED ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HOLIDAY INN!!!!! What a mess!
I just recently added a one wire 100 amp alternator to my 1960. The one concern you need to address (If left side mounting) is clearance between the alternator and the hood/hood support. Mine took a little finessing to get perfect. I ran 8 gauge wire to the battery positive with a 30 amp Maxi fuse at the terminal end. I run a volt meter and a marine full fuse panel in the car. No problems.
Alternator mount
