chivic

Why can't I get my alternator to mount? Do they make a special bracket fore tall valve covers?[IMG][/IMG]

Binnie77

When I put my tall covers on I had to go with a longer belt but my bracket still gives me lots of adjustment.

vett us all

Try bolting the bracket to the block first. Then see what size belt will work. Your bracket should work.

chivic

I tried bolting it to the block first, but then it won't bolt to the alternator. You can see in the picture the brace is hitting on the alternator. It acts like the alternator need to come closer to the motor but it hits the valve cover. I think if the brace was longer it would work. I've search and can't seem to find a longer brace. they're all 14". I tried the old alternator too and it wouldn't bolt up either. This project is becoming overwhelming. It's not fun anymore!

noonie

I have tall valve covers on a 77.
The bottom of the upper brace should bolt to a stud on the top water pump hole mount.

Leaves room for adjustment, but use must use a longer belt.

Not a great pic, but you can see the clearance at the valve cover with a stock top bar. The belt could stand to be 1/2" shorter too, but works fine this way.

chivic

Thanks, noonie. That is the top bolt of the water pump that the brace is next to. I think I see the problem though. If you look at the picture that vet us all posted you can see that the brace on his alternator is bent or curved a lot more than mine is. I think that is the problem. Now where do I find a brace like that?

noonie

It might just be easier to heat it with a torch and bend it to fit or have the bottom end modded by welding/adding a piece etc.

RobRace10

You have the wrong arm. The left one in this image is from a 350/350 1969 motor and the right a generic aftermarket.

chivic

Thanks robrace10. I knew there had to be a different arm. My stock arm was broken in two at the mounting slot and I got rid of it. I guess now I need a stock arm. Thanks again all. Chip

Lon Wayne

Think this while working "If it was easy everyone would be doing it"

redman76

I had the same problem. The bracket I "inherited" and the chrome aftermarket bracket that I first bought were not the correct length. I bought this one in the pic below from Summit and had to find the right length belt to fit. You'll get it figured out

This pic does not show very clearly, but should give you an idea:



Here is one like I bought: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...1&autoview=sku I'm not sure if this is exactly the one and I do not have the info handy. PM me if you are interested and I'll look it up once I get home tonight.

RobRace10

Corvette Central $22.00

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G


Chrome

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G

chivic

Thanks guys. I thought I was going nuts! I still don't understand why the brace I have won't work. Isn't a 350 a 350? I talked to a guy on the phone that sells those braces and he said it should work. I guess you would have to have a different alternator. Anyway that's one more problem solved. Now on to the next. Thanks again, Chip

GD70

Looks like you're missing the spacer to bolt it to the water pump. Here's a view of mine. Your bracket looks long enough in the pic, but you might need the longer one.
Hope this helps.
Glenn

Phil Zell

1975 has the bent alternator bracket, You will probably find that when you want to remove the belt, you will first have to remove your valve cover.

dstaley

Yeah, a 350 is a 350, but your bracket isn't for a 350. It's like the one I had on my '66 Chevelle. In other words, the Chevelle lower bracket (which was bolted on to the exhaust manifold if I remember right, but needs verified...) put the alternator pivot in a different position than the Corvette cast iron bracket. The position was lower, which is why the other arm has a different arc to it.

I hope this helps!

vett us all

The alt brace I am using came factory on my L-82 350. In the pics below you need the brace on the left.