Low Profile Breather Cap? Converted to Alternator and the stock breather is hitting.

Hi all,

I'm upgrading the entire charging system on my '56 Pontiac. I just installed a new battery, and did an alternator conversion, and next will be installing a new electronic ignition.

I ran into one problem once I got the alternator mounted. It sits much closer to the valve cover than the generator did, and now the breather cap won't fit, it hits the alternator. Does anyone know of a "low profile" or slimmer breather cap I can use that might fit? I have really limited clearance, so I need something much shorter and preferably less wide than the stock cap. I've been looking online at generic caps at Jegs and Summit, but without seeing them in person I can't tell if they would fit.

Anyone had a similar situation and found something that works?

Thanks!

 

Can you make a new bracket for the alternator that gives you the right amount of clearance?

 

Funny...I just did a "section job" on a valve cover breather. I am using a late model Chevy engine in my 50 F1 truck and had some Lincoln Y block valve covers I wanted to cover up the center bolt Chevy covers with.The old chrome breather was too tall to fit under the Lincoln covers, so I cut about 3/8" out of the center of them, removed the foam filtering material (would burn when welded!), put some stainless "scrubby" material inside, and welded them back together.
Did it all in about 10 minutes. I might have pics, but I didn't worry about looks, since it was covered up.

 

When I did mine it didnt hit the breather, maybe a shorter belt. You could turn the cover around, seen that done . Will try to down load picture later, Don

 

Or could you shorten the tube after taking it out or figuring how to keep filings out of the engine?

 

I don't think it would fit right if I turned the cover around. I tried to modify the breather cap to fit but I couldn't dent it in enough to provide enough clearance to fit. Chopolds - that sectioning idea might work, if it comes down to it I'll try that out.

For now going to just check local auto parts stores and see if I can find a cheap one that might fit the clearance. If not I guess I'll have to resort to some sort of modification...

 

Here is a picture of mine

 

Wow, nice job. I ended up just getting a generic breather cap that was quite a bit smaller and it worked great.

Hey question on your alternator - did you just hook up the one wire to the battery, and leave the Field wire from the generator off? And did you hook up the ground?

Also, where did you get your alternator from?

 

Alternator is from 80,s camaro, used the one gen wire and hooked them together at the regulator so the ammeter still works, did not run a ground but jumped from plus stud to number 2 on the back of unit. Works great.

 

What does jumping from the plus (do you mean the batt terminal on the alternator?) to the #2 do?

 

Hi, It keeps it exicted, sorry about the spelling, but it keeps it charging and no drain on the battery. Since this pic have rebuilt the motor and clocked the unit to move wiring up. Don

 

reverse the valve covers side to side

 

Thanks fordor, I ended up getting a smaller generic breather cap to fit.