Alternator Mounting with Headers....?
I can not figure out the alternator mounting. I ordered headers, header mounting bracket for alternator, new water pump but I can't seem to make it work....
Anyone?





I can not figure out the alternator mounting. I ordered headers, header mounting bracket for alternator, new water pump but I can't seem to make it work....
Anyone?

on my 77 Small block the headers have nothing to do with the alt bracket. the alt bracket is attached to the front of the drivers side head. the AC compressor has a bracket off of one of the pass side header front bolts.
I've got the large base that bolts to the front of the head & the long arm to the waterpump. Bubba might have left a bracket off The back of the Alt. before I bought her, but it works just fine.
aluminum http://www.zip-products.com/Corvette...C81DB79795BDA7
I remember reading about the iron ones cracking, which allows the bolt to constantly loosen. I suppose the aluminum oen would fix this problem.
Last edited by lostpatrolman; Oct 20, 2004 at 12:12 AM.
I used aftermarket brackets from the local Checker Auto. This bolts to the head with the header pipe @ #1 cylinder exhaust:
Then you bolt this bracket onto the first bracket:
They are slotted to allow belt alignment. The lower alternator bolt (long one) then attatches the alt. to this second bracket. I had to make a short spacer for the long bolt because the alt. mounting flange wasn't as wide as the spacing between the bracket flanges.
Then use the "universal" upper bracket:
This is used from the upper alt. mounting point to a water pump bolt or stud, or possibly even the head (might need a spacer).
In my case, bolting this bracket direct to the water pump would have made the alt. sit too high (hood would've hit).
I made a small bracket which raised the lower mounting point of the bracket up & allowed the alt. to rotate towards the fender to get clearance. So if your heads are drilled for accessories you'll probably have it easier than I did. As a matter of fact, you could probably get the "standard" bracket set that bolts between the head, water pump, and intake manifold, like this:
If you need pics let me know & I'll bring the digital camera home from work tomorrow and post some.
Sorry for the long post....hope it helps some.
I can not figure out the alternator mounting. I ordered headers, header mounting bracket for alternator, new water pump but I can't seem to make it work....
Anyone?

Did you buy the "Corvette Short" water pump or the "Small Block Chevy Short" water pump? If your not set-up for one or the other things may not line up.
I just thought I'd ask, but you've more than likely covered these bases.
Tim
I posted and then I see that Todd 68 has already posted some nice pics of the brackets I listed.
Last edited by Brass Pass; Oct 20, 2004 at 12:55 AM.
Would the later bracket work??? Anyone have one laying around? Where does the Upper universal mount when using that bracket?
Todd68 -
I figured this was going to be the easy side - now I'm not looking forward to AC side next.....
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use the brackets in the above post - got bolt and lock washers - 3/8x1" from lowes, you will also need a longer alt. bolt for the bottom bracket - 3/8x 3.5 (lowes again - second trip).
Due to the brackets extending the placemen of my alternator roughly 1.5 inces, I had to go up a couple sizes in fan belt to allow me to get it on and also allow for adjustment - after I got the right size belt, everything fell together smoothly - but that was after hours of beer, cursing, and crying because I couldn' figure out what I did wrong.
Good luck.
Bobs77vet -
So - confused.....
That looks like a simpler solution and even a little less clumsy.
Anyone?
The top bracket - the one that fits onto the two adjustable slider holes mounted to the headers.....went on the fender side of the bracket, bolt on, with the two spaced holes pointing towards front of the car. The alt. should fit into those holes (between), and the longer bolt you will need to purchast goes through and bolts to the inside support of the bracket.
You can do away with the lower stock bracket which bolts at the water pump - no need for it. Mine bolted to the manifold, and alternator. Hope I am helping and not aiding in the confussion.
email me at srobertson@crtinc.com - willcall you.
Last edited by Munky; Oct 20, 2004 at 12:48 PM.
You can see the small bracket I made to raise the "water pump" end of the upper bracket up; this gives the neede clearance at the alt. end. I also think some one makes an upper bracket with a sharper radius curve & longer slotted end which may fit directly. When I get around to installing the new intake manifold I'll check into this more, but I wanted to get the exhaust done so I could get in a few more driving days before the weather gets bad around here.
Here it is from another angle:
Here's a top view:
Here's a close up (camera upside down - looking between valve cover & alternator) of the lower mount & spacer:
To answer your question the 1" bolts came with the bracket, you can get them at most auto parts or hardware stores; 3/8-16 x 1"
As far as the other style mounts (you need accessory holes in the head for the long [lower] mount bolt) here they are on my old plow truck (small block Chevy -1975):
OK - quit laughing, that old thing sits all year & never fails to start and move snow. After all the mice are evicted that is!
However, this is on the passenger side, if you're installing AC you need brackets for the driver side so make sure to get the correct one the first time if you go this route.
Good Luck, and if you need more info just ask. Now it's time for a beer!
Here's some pics of the install:
As you can see, you use both stock brackets in conjunction with this bracket. This bracket replaces the tapped hole in the stock exhaust manifold. Hope this helps.
Fender shake,exceesive torque,whatever the reason,the stock bracket cracked in the same location as the original. I decided to go aftermarket. Baught the "Chevy correct short pump brackets" and discovered with the AFR heads and tall valve covers the upper adjustment arm would not fit. I then got the universal chrome upper arm and ran this arangement for a month before the header mount broke.
Long story short. I baught a Zoops billet bracket. It mounts to the front of the head,aligns the alternator correctly,and is as solid as a rock.If you're going to "play" with changing stock parts,you're going to have to "pay".The Zoops bracket was around $150.
When I mounted My Upper Universal, It's directly against the WP. No space in between.












