I'm trying to help out a friend's son who is inheriting his dad's chevy truck. His dad wasn't very mechanical so paid a 'friend' to build it for him who was a decent mechanic but a piss-poor fabricator. Unfortunately, Dad passed less than two weeks after it was 'completed'. During the trucks construction I tried to steer the dad towards some different parts selections but not with much success, so there are more than a few bits that aren't really compatible with the 'finished' build (great guy, but a bit stubborn...). The son isn't particularly mechanical either, but says he has friends that could help him but they aren't the hot rod type. I believe I've found solutions for most of what needs fixing, but confess being a Ford guy I'm a bit stumped on the alternator mount. Dad insisted on early double-hump heads but they have zero tapped mounting holes in the end of the head so that prevents using a OEM-type mount. The current mount is off a 'L' bracket attached to the exhaust manifold, but the alternator interferes with the inner fender. Can't go low because of the frame/fuel pump. I found this.... SBC Alternator Bracket - for Double Hump Heads (bolts to water pump on – ICT Billet but it may be too low too. Any other suggestions?
Check if it has a long or short pump to be sure your choice of mount is compatible. Alan Grove has a wide variety of mounts. Don't forget about pulleys.
Hoo boy, I went thru this last year. stirred up the dust. These guys have got you covered, as in early double hump heads would normally indicate a short WP, but you need to confirm. Also Alan Grove had the best site for finding a good setup. The mess I made. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/sbc-long-to-short-water-pump.1319981/
This looks like an Alan Grove bracket but I don't know for sure. It comes off the water pump and mounts to the manifold.
Maybe consider running a Kabota or little John Deere alternator. If there are not a lot of accessories it will keep up. Guys use them on race cars.
Another vote for "pics will help" We can't see what you're working with, so it's really hard to make an exact recommendation. if it's too off topic for pics here, you can put it on the off topic forum
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/trd-9254/make/chevrolet https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g4050/make/chevrolet https://www.summitracing.com/parts/spe-42263/make/chevrolet I've used these three piece chrome brackets and arms for every SBC build I've ever done. The mounts allow the bracket to be moved forward or back for either water pump type, and they are universal for left or right side mounting. The arm can be bent to an offset easily to align with wherever the alternator sits and it bolts to the top water pump bolt on either side.
Drill and pipe tap the head 1/8 npt. Then make up a custom stud 1/8 npt one end then 3/8-16 on the other end. Worried about the head? Put a pipe plug in it then put it on the drivers side later on down the road.
You can go high or move it to the drivers side and use factory brackets. Most passenger side alts were long water pumps from the factory (all these had acc. holes in the head). https://www.roadstersupply.com/Plain-GM-Alt-Bracket-for-Top-Passenger-Side-p/rsc-64070.htm These brackets are sold individually.
I appreciate the responses... multiple choices. I need to check to see if it's a long or short water pump. It's unfortunate, but her husband paid pro prices but got an amateur build in places. Long story, hard to explain. No big stuff, but lots of smaller details that just aren't right. The alternator mount, a one-wire alternator that can't be hooked to the OEM shunt-style ammeter, no place to connect the heater (the two hoses from the heater are connected end-to-end and semi-hidden), some obviously used parts, ect, ect... The truck is going up north with the son later today, I'm just trying to get him pointed in the right direction before he leaves with it.
Bill’s Hot Rod Company will have the brackets you need. A little higher tech but they work very well and are of high quality. Research through website then purchase directly or through EBay or Speedway.
I started with a stock mount But didn't really like how it just hung out in the breeze, so I cut up some stock brackets I had and came up with this, 18 yrs later and still working
Short pump vs long pump makes a big differtence. I have used a smog pump bracket off an early 70's small block as an alternator bracket before but you cannot get the belt tight without some sort of idler setup in the right place. I had it on my 48 after I put the 61 283 in it. This one from Speedway is real close to that idea but I think it moves the alternator up a bit so it clears the valve cover and gives more adjustment. Small Block Chevy Upper Alternator Bracket, Plain
I used the same one Mr48chev showed on the SBC in both of my cars, worked great. Its simple , clean and somewhat factory GM , "NO BRAINER"..... Win win....Mitch
I don’t know if Jim Jacob’s is still making his “jitney jake” products anymore but that’s what I used on my 46 in this situation. I’ll do a little looking but the guys have nailed it with the Alan grove. He’s local to the metro here and makes about anything weird combo you could ever need.
The brackets I linked in my previous reply work with either long or short water pumps, so no need to figure out which it is.
This one here you can use with a long water pump and don't need holes in the head either. Yes, maybe a little bit of a billet look but you can scuff it up to look a little more older racy looking or paint it black. Keeps the alternator somewhat tucked in too. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1166484518...L6&stype=1&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=MORE
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