Right sided alternator
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 28
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Right sided alternator
Bought a '78 without motor or trans. Have a nice 350/350 combo but I noticed Vette alternators are on the left and the motor I have has the alternator on the right. I assume this is to make room for the AC compressor to go on the right in Vettes. The alternator looks low enough to not cause any clearance issues and I don't mind rewiring the harness. Car was originally an AC car but no compressor was included with the car.
And i won't be putting AC back in the car.
Is it safe to asssume that this will swap in easily?
Thanks.
And i won't be putting AC back in the car.
Is it safe to asssume that this will swap in easily?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The primary reason the alt is on the left side in C3's is because the horn relay...and all the power wiring for the engine compartment...is on the left fender. Thus, running wiring from the alternator was shorter--and reduced cost (a few cents).
As long as you don't mind running the extra wire, it makes no difference which side it's on.
As long as you don't mind running the extra wire, it makes no difference which side it's on.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,905
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
FWIW I moved the alternator over to the right side to get some weight off the LF corner. I just got a partial alternator harness off a junk car (for convenience so that the connector would plug right in), and altered the other end of the harness so that it would plug right into the original alternator harness connector (as I didn't want to cut up a perfectly good portion of the harness).
Chances are the alternator placement "issue" isn't going to be that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
Chances are the alternator placement "issue" isn't going to be that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The engine you are planning to use will have a long water pump, and the corresponding bracket for the alternator. If you are going to use electric fans, this shouldn't be an issue. If however you are going to be using stock cooling components, the water pump currently on that engine may present a problem.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 28
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Tips
The engine you are planning to use will have a long water pump, and the corresponding bracket for the alternator. If you are going to use electric fans, this shouldn't be an issue. If however you are going to be using stock cooling components, the water pump currently on that engine may present a problem.
My only other question is..........Will I be able to use a stock corvette drive shaft with the long shaft TH350 that I have?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The TH 350 had 3 different output shafts- really short for 4x4's, one the tail housing is about 8 inches long and one the tail housing is around 18". the 8" one is the one you want
