1970 Alternator Bracket Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
1970 Alternator Bracket Question
Hi all,
I have a 1970 small block. A couple years ago I was having some alternator issues. My mechanic took the alternator out and had it rebuilt, etc.
I now have a significant power steering leak that I want to fix. However, I am finding that I cannot remove the PS reservoir cap because the alternator bracket is in the way. I cannot lift the cap high enough to get the small dipstick under the cap to clear. I know I was able to remove the cap in the past...so I'm speculating that when my mechanic repaired the alternator, he replaced the bracket for some reason? Is there a way that I can verify that I have the correct/incorrect alternator bracket? Is it possible that it can be adjusted at all? Further, if I indeed do have an incorrect bracket, how do I order one that I can tell for sure is correct so that I have proper access to the PS reservoir?
Thanks!
I have a 1970 small block. A couple years ago I was having some alternator issues. My mechanic took the alternator out and had it rebuilt, etc.
I now have a significant power steering leak that I want to fix. However, I am finding that I cannot remove the PS reservoir cap because the alternator bracket is in the way. I cannot lift the cap high enough to get the small dipstick under the cap to clear. I know I was able to remove the cap in the past...so I'm speculating that when my mechanic repaired the alternator, he replaced the bracket for some reason? Is there a way that I can verify that I have the correct/incorrect alternator bracket? Is it possible that it can be adjusted at all? Further, if I indeed do have an incorrect bracket, how do I order one that I can tell for sure is correct so that I have proper access to the PS reservoir?
Thanks!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Chandler az
Might just need a longer belt. If the belt got replaced with a shorter one it wont let the pump move far enough over to get the cap off. You can try and tighten it see how much you can get it to move. Dont pry on the pump its thin and will mess it up. I use the handle of a rubber hammer to push the pump over.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
I had the same issue on my 1970. Once you get the cap off cut the dip stick about 1/4" below the full line. That allowed me to remove the cap with the alternator still in place and I can still check the fluid. If it's not showing on the dip stick it needs to be added. The only difficult part is removing the cap to begin with. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Thanks guys...but I don't understand how this happens? I know for sure that I was able to get the cap off before. Now the bracket is in the way...and I don't understand how the bracket could move??? It's like magic...and not the kind of magic I like! 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Hi all,
I'm still struggling with this issue. I need to get the PS reservoir cap off so that I can put fluid in it, so that I can find the leak!
The bracket I'm talking about is the lower one - the one that has two bolts that go into the engine and then has the "pivot bolt" for the alternator...so I don't see how it can be moved/adjusted at all? Is it possible they put the wrong bracket on? I am going to attempt to put some pictures here of the bracket...again, it's the one just above the PS reservoir cap...any help is appreciated!
I'm still struggling with this issue. I need to get the PS reservoir cap off so that I can put fluid in it, so that I can find the leak!
The bracket I'm talking about is the lower one - the one that has two bolts that go into the engine and then has the "pivot bolt" for the alternator...so I don't see how it can be moved/adjusted at all? Is it possible they put the wrong bracket on? I am going to attempt to put some pictures here of the bracket...again, it's the one just above the PS reservoir cap...any help is appreciated!
Last edited by Mpls Funk; May 14, 2014 at 08:42 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 731
From: Youngstown Ohio
Hi all,
I'm still struggling with this issue. I need to get the PS reservoir cap off so that I can put fluid in it, so that I can find the leak!
The bracket I'm talking about is the lower one - the one that has two bolts that go into the engine and then has the "pivot bolt" for the alternator...so I don't see how it can be moved/adjusted at all? Is it possible they put the wrong bracket on? I am going to attempt to put some pictures here of the bracket...again, it's the one just above the PS reservoir cap...any help is appreciated!
I'm still struggling with this issue. I need to get the PS reservoir cap off so that I can put fluid in it, so that I can find the leak!
The bracket I'm talking about is the lower one - the one that has two bolts that go into the engine and then has the "pivot bolt" for the alternator...so I don't see how it can be moved/adjusted at all? Is it possible they put the wrong bracket on? I am going to attempt to put some pictures here of the bracket...again, it's the one just above the PS reservoir cap...any help is appreciated!
Last edited by C3 Stroker; May 14, 2014 at 10:32 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Chandler az
You have the correct bracket....I have the same one. Get a power steering belt 1" longer than the one you have. Install it and this will allow you to position the reservoir a little bit more to the outside (swing toward the fender), allowing just enough room to remove the cap. Or, get a belt 1" shorter, and swing the pump an inch toward the engine....that works, too. Still close fit, but should work fine.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 334
Likes: 6
Like Stroker said, it's time to experiment with slightly larger power steering belts so the pump can move out from under the bracket. It might take 2 or 3 tries, the first attempt (the classic 1" larger belt) put the pump pulley out too near the frame. I have the tables that list the belt size part numbers if you need 'em.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Hi guys,
I really appreciate your responses. At first I didn't understand what you were saying, but now I think it makes some sense.
However, further digging, I found this post, and it seems to suggest that this is not the correct bracket...this bracket was used for '72 and later or something like that. There is a picture of what the poster says is the right bracket (painted orange). Further, I looked in the ARM and the diagrams in there seem to show a bracket that matches this orange one...and when I did some digging in Corvette Central and other similar sites, they seem to support the orange bracket as well.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...cs-needed.html
So, certainly not meaning any disrespect, but I do feel now that I have the wrong bracket and will be ordering the other "orange" bracket as depicted in the ARM.
Happy to hear any comments if you think I'm still on the wrong page???
Thanks!
I really appreciate your responses. At first I didn't understand what you were saying, but now I think it makes some sense.
However, further digging, I found this post, and it seems to suggest that this is not the correct bracket...this bracket was used for '72 and later or something like that. There is a picture of what the poster says is the right bracket (painted orange). Further, I looked in the ARM and the diagrams in there seem to show a bracket that matches this orange one...and when I did some digging in Corvette Central and other similar sites, they seem to support the orange bracket as well.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...cs-needed.html
So, certainly not meaning any disrespect, but I do feel now that I have the wrong bracket and will be ordering the other "orange" bracket as depicted in the ARM.
Happy to hear any comments if you think I'm still on the wrong page???
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1,362
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Just to recap, the alternator bracket you have (lower mount) is not a 1970 bracket. For 1970 the alternator bracket bolted to the exhaust manifold.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/grq82//altbracket1.jpg
When I added headers many years ago, with the exhaust manifold removed, I had no place to attach the alternator.
At that time, the bracket you have was not used on any car engines. However it was used on trucks.
I used the truck bracket (like you currently have). Since I don't have PS it works fine.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/grq82//altbracket1.jpg
When I added headers many years ago, with the exhaust manifold removed, I had no place to attach the alternator.
At that time, the bracket you have was not used on any car engines. However it was used on trucks.
I used the truck bracket (like you currently have). Since I don't have PS it works fine.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 731
From: Youngstown Ohio
Hi guys,
I really appreciate your responses. At first I didn't understand what you were saying, but now I think it makes some sense.
However, further digging, I found this post, and it seems to suggest that this is not the correct bracket...this bracket was used for '72 and later or something like that. There is a picture of what the poster says is the right bracket (painted orange). Further, I looked in the ARM and the diagrams in there seem to show a bracket that matches this orange one...and when I did some digging in Corvette Central and other similar sites, they seem to support the orange bracket as well.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...cs-needed.html
So, certainly not meaning any disrespect, but I do feel now that I have the wrong bracket and will be ordering the other "orange" bracket as depicted in the ARM.
Happy to hear any comments if you think I'm still on the wrong page???
Thanks!
I really appreciate your responses. At first I didn't understand what you were saying, but now I think it makes some sense.
However, further digging, I found this post, and it seems to suggest that this is not the correct bracket...this bracket was used for '72 and later or something like that. There is a picture of what the poster says is the right bracket (painted orange). Further, I looked in the ARM and the diagrams in there seem to show a bracket that matches this orange one...and when I did some digging in Corvette Central and other similar sites, they seem to support the orange bracket as well.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...cs-needed.html
So, certainly not meaning any disrespect, but I do feel now that I have the wrong bracket and will be ordering the other "orange" bracket as depicted in the ARM.
Happy to hear any comments if you think I'm still on the wrong page???
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
NOW to toss in another variable....the V wedge of V belts has changed between the old SAE standard, and the new METRIC standard, so even though the belt is listed to FIT, and adjust, it will tend to slip in that the pulleys on old cars will ride high on the new belt...being a narrower pitch to the V wedge......the belt will look like the backside is concave instead of straight across.....
Ran across this piece of work some years ago, and swapped for a spec SAE belt, and problem solved....but I can't remember which car it was.....all I remember was the belt 'ran out of adjustment' and one size was too big, the next smaller was really silly tight, and did not last too long....
Ran across this piece of work some years ago, and swapped for a spec SAE belt, and problem solved....but I can't remember which car it was.....all I remember was the belt 'ran out of adjustment' and one size was too big, the next smaller was really silly tight, and did not last too long....
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Hmmm.... that might explain why the previous owner welded a small bracket to the header flange to support the alternator bracket on my 1970, he actually did a nice job fabricating the bracket.
I need to remover my power steering belt to put on a new AC belt. My question is how in the heck do you get to the power steering bolts with headers on? I can see the slotted bolt hole but I can't get my hand down to it, I assume the pivot bolt, which I can't see, also has to also be loosened. I was thinking I might have to come from underneath the car. Suggestions appreciated.
I need to remover my power steering belt to put on a new AC belt. My question is how in the heck do you get to the power steering bolts with headers on? I can see the slotted bolt hole but I can't get my hand down to it, I assume the pivot bolt, which I can't see, also has to also be loosened. I was thinking I might have to come from underneath the car. Suggestions appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 731
From: Youngstown Ohio
Hmmm.... that might explain why the previous owner welded a small bracket to the header flange to support the alternator bracket on my 1970, he actually did a nice job fabricating the bracket.
I need to remover my power steering belt to put on a new AC belt. My question is how in the heck do you get to the power steering bolts with headers on? I can see the slotted bolt hole but I can't get my hand down to it, I assume the pivot bolt, which I can't see, also has to also be loosened. I was thinking I might have to come from underneath the car. Suggestions appreciated.
I need to remover my power steering belt to put on a new AC belt. My question is how in the heck do you get to the power steering bolts with headers on? I can see the slotted bolt hole but I can't get my hand down to it, I assume the pivot bolt, which I can't see, also has to also be loosened. I was thinking I might have to come from underneath the car. Suggestions appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
So - I got my new, "correct" bracket from Corvette Central...and realized I have the same problem some of you have stated. The previous owner put exhaust headers on...so now this "correct" bracket won't work either. Uggg. I really wish I knew what the mechanic did when he repaired the alternator, because I know I was able to get the cap off before.
The bracket that's on there now...the "truck" bracket...seems plenty heavy - I wonder if I took it into a shop, if they could cut some of the metal away from the bottom of the bracket so that it might give me just enough clearance without reducing the strength of the bracket too much?
Any other thoughts?
The bracket that's on there now...the "truck" bracket...seems plenty heavy - I wonder if I took it into a shop, if they could cut some of the metal away from the bottom of the bracket so that it might give me just enough clearance without reducing the strength of the bracket too much?
Any other thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,417
Likes: 1,554
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Your making a mountain out of a mole hill...
Once you fix all the leaks you can check the PS reservoir level every few years.
It just stays full.
It just stays full.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
Did your mechanic change out the belts at the same time as the alt repair or have you replaced the belts?
I had this same issue. My solution was to get a bigger P/S belt to put the pump at a slight angle and allow enough clearance to remove the cap. The longer belt moves the cap from the 12 o-clock position to the 1 o-clock position or so and that did the trick for me.
the pic is low quality but you can see the slight angle and the similar clearance issue.
I had this same issue. My solution was to get a bigger P/S belt to put the pump at a slight angle and allow enough clearance to remove the cap. The longer belt moves the cap from the 12 o-clock position to the 1 o-clock position or so and that did the trick for me.
the pic is low quality but you can see the slight angle and the similar clearance issue.
Last edited by johnt365; May 18, 2014 at 02:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
THank you - I went and stared at it a while and now I understand what you are suggesting. Am I correct in assuming that I could get a shorter belt and rotate it to the ~11 o'clock position as well?
I assume there isn't a concern about the fluid level when the reservoir is rotated like this?
Thanks again - sorry for my confusion!
I assume there isn't a concern about the fluid level when the reservoir is rotated like this?
Thanks again - sorry for my confusion!