Low-mount alternator

[cwareham]

Hi folks-

289 FIA kit, 302, edelbrock heads, edelbrock high-volume water pump (pump empties on the driver's side.) V-belt pulleys.

I've got a GM-style 1 wire alternator and a custom bracket, and I'm running into a problem mounting the alternator down low. I'm sure folks have seen this, it's super-tight between the frame rail and the timing cover. I'm not worried about spacers, etc...I know they'll have to be modified and I'm not that worried about it.

Does anyone know if there's a 1-wire alternator that'll fit in the low-mount position? I'd rather not have the alternator sticking up by the valve cover if possible.

Thanks!
Chris

[nolastyankee]

Chris,
Go with the high mount alternator, there is virtually no room for a low mount and you don't want the engine torque whacking the alternator to the frame. When we picked up our car it had a low mount and a bunch of frame scratches from install and the short amount of run time. From a install and service standpoint there really is not too many good reasons to keep the alternator low.

That's my $0.02, but it's your car. If you really want to keep it low there are some mini alternators that may do the job. Unless you are running EFI or a heater these cars only really draw electrical current for the ignition.

[Justin Upchurch]

You can use the one from Coast High Performanceand modify it to work, This is what I did. I also have a Jones Racing bracket, but this requires a mini alternator or a 95 and up ford unit.

Justin

[Tony Radford]

The first March bracket system I purchased was for the low mount. I couldn't make it work so I returned it for the high mount. Looks much better (to me anyway).

[cwareham]

Thanks guys.

Justin- What did you have to do to get the CHP unit to work? Looks to me like the alternator will still hit the boss on the timing cover that the timing pointer connects to....

All the best,
Chris

[Justin Upchurch]

I took the bracket over to a machine shop and had them elongate the slot adustment and take some material away on the C section of the bracket to get the alternator closer to the motor. I can't recall that it comes close to the timing cover. The modification costs me $20. The only thing about the low mount alternator is that is does make it difficult to get a timing light hooked up, but in my opinion it does look better.

Let me see if I can find some pictures for you.

Justin