Hiding that ugly alternator...?

Well, that picure above was the first chrome plated version in the states. it was on my sedan (now owned by 73roundlight). if you are building a low dollar car its not for you. if you are building something nice and of good quality, then the money is not bad (go thru Summit, its cheaper, I was less then $400 for the chrome version - the manufacture even told me not to buy it direct). it you plan to run a stereo or need lots of juice, its the only way to go. I would do it again in a second as I think it helps the look of the motor compartment.

If you are building a car with a late 50 or early 60's look a typical alternate does not work no matter how much you keep telling yourself it does. Unless the alternator is under the car, its still visable. Nothing wrong with a generator just not my preference for a car I plan to drive long distance (500 to 1500 miles) and alot of it at night. If I was staying mostly local I would keep the generator like Rolf did. I have one of my 57 and want to update it as i plan to run a stereo and do long road trips in it.

 

May not help him but may help some one else. Here is the above altenator mounted...







Was a lot of money but it got it down low and out of sight for my build...Just wish it wasn't chrome or that expensive!!

-COS

 

I have an a/c unit on a bracket attached to where the old standard fuel pump was mounted on the engine. Sits low and out of normal line of sight. Probably could do the same with an Alt. I think the bracket came from Street and Performance out of Mena, Arkansas. No doubt that other hardware manufacturers like Alan Grove have them too.

 

Zman,I do believe you've talked me into a generator!
I know! My '65 Biscayne predated the alternator, and they came with big motors. There are my brackets. Thanks, Mike

 

Didn't hide because I thought it was ugly, I just wanted it out of the way.

 

Just make your own brackets out of your old arms

 

If you really want an alternator, why not a 50s-60s Mopar? Then you are period correct.

 

Not if it's a 40's or early 50's style ride.

 

Mount the alternator down low, but facing backwards (so the belt is between the engine and the alternator). The alternator doesn't know, or care, which way it's spinning. You'll have to fabricate your own brackets and probably bolt 'em to the frame.

 

ding ding ding!!!!!! yup!
i bought a nice vette gen for my sbc thats goin in my coupe...nice and short, looks right and brand new....165 bucks with the volt reg!!!

 

I dont recall a lot of small block chevys in 40s or early 50s rides anyway

 

Now, I know this isn't a SBC, but the application is the same. The alternater/generator doesn't know any diffrerent if its mounted on the engine, or the hurst mount itself. Make a plate with two ears and weld it on the bottom of the mount. Then, make a swing arm that comes off the other end of the hurst mount to your adjustment bolt. Being that the mount is a solid engine mount, you don't have to be concerned of any movement between the alternator and the engine.
This involves making it, not buying any kit... the true definition of real Hot Rodding.

 

alternator don't care which way it is running, I turned mine around on my camaro and got it low, but my engine is solid mounted so I could do what I wanted. other option is racemate alternator. the stator mounts to the waterpump and the upper pulley has the magnets. it's actually a harley alternator puts out 36 amps and looks slick. I have one for a big block chevy if anybodys interested. gilmer belt might be a give a way though. Later

 

Hey, I see the suggestion posted earlier by "oldgard" about his black alternator with the "grass gard" on the back - I saw it in real life this summer on the '47 Chevy truck and couldn't tell just what was going on. When he explained it to me I thought hey thats cool daddyo and I may do the same on our roadster project. Once again, it pays to have creative friends!

 

there is a substitude for cubic inches-cubic dollars

 

take it off and trailer the car.

 

Generator............

 

Well I figured after everyone started ignoring the guys original question or not really reading then I'd throw that out there for Dick. It's pretty easy to answer the original question if you know what a Hurst mount is. From there it retarded into a Alan Groves and Summit love fest.
I guess it degenerated into an alternator love fest as well.

 

Anyone know when the first alternators were introduced, and more importantly, when were they put on hot rods?

 

Never had a problem with my generator. Works fine for my truck. It has a heater, elec. wipers and lights of course - no radio though. I agree, a generator is the call for the more period correct applications and I think they look better too.

But, then again, I do in fact live by my motto of "more cost, less performance" and this is a good case of that.

 

Thanks coldwar! Since the gen spins the same on either side looks like it won't make any difference which side I hang it from.
I'm running sprint car style headers so it won't be too hard to make up a bottom bracket and I have a few adjustment arms from when I worked at John Deere. They used generators on tractors long after the alternator came out.

 

I don't know if this is what you had in mind or not. It is a home made bracket that attaches to a set of vintage hurst mounts that I use on my 32 ford with an early hemi. It fits quite snugly between the pan rail and the frame. It is made of stainless steel and has never given me a problem in the 11 years that it has been on the car. I hope this might help. Chuck

 

My dad and I actually had that EXACT same idea for our '56 wagon. We're still thinking about doing it in the future and possibly marketing it if it people were into it.

 

this is my solution:

 

Oldguard. What did you use to wrap your electrical wiring? The black tape I've been buying won't stick to its self that well. Looks good for a week or two then starts coming unstuck. Thanks, Mike

 

The best way to hide an 'ugly' alternator is to mount it firmly to the shelf under your workbench and bolt up a generator...

Either embrace the alternator for what it is... Or run a generator.

Appologetic rods are the new flat black...