Technical Looking for 331 Cadillac alternator location ideas

I have '50 Cadillac 331 that is going into a '30 coupe and I'm going to be running headers. I want to mount a small alternator down low and I'm looking for some visual inspiration. Thanks

 

Looks good. I should also have stated that I plan running a u-fab 6x2 intake. How did you change your stock oil fill/fuel pump tube? I see you have a custom chrome one.

 

I'm going to try to run my alternator off the driveshaft. I know it will not charge if I'm stopped but I think it will be enough. I want a simple empty engine compartment.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I've seen small alternators that can be, or are, machined to fit inside a generator housing. Gives the old school look with
Upgraded performance. Don't remember where I saw them, but start with Summit to see if they can help.

Sent from my SM-T377V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Moriarty, nicely detailed 331.

Sent from my SM-T377V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Let us know if that works. Cool idea.



Wouldn't want to get stuck in a traffic jam though.

Here's a thread on the Hamb about that:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/driveshaft-driven-alternators.443232/

One of the last posts in that old thread is a link to:
http://www.racemate.com
Which makes water pump/alternator combos, ( not for Caddies though, yet another reason to run a SBC, I guess)

I dig the way old generators look myself.

 

That motor is sick

 

Off the rear axle yoke works good if you have low electrical draw. I run a mag, so it's only an issue for me at night. Secret of making it work well is taking the vibration out of the mount. I made a rear mount for the mounting bolt to run through:

 

I've commented a couple of times here on people with flathead powered cars wanting to use an alternator but wanted to maintain a traditional looking engine compartment.
There was a magazine article a few years back where a guy built a mount on the front of his flathead allowing the use of (IIRC) a right angle cable coupler off the crankshaft leading to a hidden alternator underneath the car out of sight. I've attempted to find it a couple of times with no results. I still think it is a great idea for numerous applications.

 

Find your local industrial electric motor shop.
Get a small denso from a forklift. 65 amps and fits anywhere.
Same as here but should be 1/2 the price http://www.ecae.com/alt1.html

Member "Loud pedal" built an alternator mount and drive off the bell housing for the green grenade coupe. Pretty slick

 

I mounted the alternator on the 331 in my '31 roadster very much like Moriarity did on his '40, only place it would fit.

 

Do you have room around the transmission tail shaft? I'm thinking if you mounted it there, it'd be less vibration and same RPM. Thoughts?

"Just because you can put tap shoes on an elephant doesn't mean it can dance!"

 

I was thinking about that option also.

 

There should be plenty of small readily available alternators that will tuck in where you want to put one and hook up with a simple fabricated bracket. The alternator on my 91 GEO Prism GSI puts out 70 amps and is a little bitty bugger that would be simple to bolt up in most case and only needs a pulley swap.

 

What was your decision on mounting your alternator?

"Just because you can put tap shoes on an elephant doesn't mean it can dance!"

 

I'm going to try to find one small enough to fit down low between the motor mount and the crank pulley. If that doesn't work then it will probably go on the drive shaft somewhere

 

Well it’s been six years but I’m finally getting around to fabricating an alternator brackets . Since there is no accessory holes in the front of the block I fabbed a top bracket off the engine mount. The bottom bracket will be bolted to the oil pan bolts. I’m still working on that one.

 

There was somebody that ran a cable back to their alternator NASCAR used cables to run their fuel pumps for a few years, the small lawn mowers and tractors most of them have Nippon or Mitsubishi alternators that are pretty small

 

All righty then, hope Mike doesn't mind a little side track here.
I sure would like to find that article that I mentioned prior, I'm thinking it was in Street Rodder and since I recycled 99.9% of my magazines I thought I'd just throw out a request for those that still have their's to keep an eye out, it does go back quite a few years.
Thanks
DDD

 

Drive shaft driver alternators do not charge enough for almost all situations, other than a cross country drive staying only on freeways.

 

That should work pretty nice when it's done. What alternator did you end up using?

 

So here’s what I came up with.

 

Success ! with plenty of adjustment, nice job....

 

Wow y'all make me feel bad with all these pretty engines. Looks like I'm going to have to step my game up.

 

Another compact alternator to consider is a late 80s 55 amp Chevy Sprint.
Pictured on a SBC, to illustrate the size and home made brackets.