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Author Topic: Alternator Bracket  (Read 738 times)

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Offline rob289c

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Alternator Bracket
« on: July 25, 2020, 06:35:48 AM »
The engine I just pulled last weekend has power steering with the alternator mounted up top on the left side.  It is right in the way of getting at the distributor and must be moved in order to replace the distributor cap and makes it harder to adjust timing.  Pic below.  Is there anything that would prevent me from using a non-power steering alternator bracket like I had on all three of my 77's and in the pic below of the 74 engine bay.  That is, providing I can find one.  I won't need power steering on my trike project so the pump will be gone.  Removing the pump and moving the alternator will clean things up and offer better accessibility to the distributor. 
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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Alternator Bracket
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2020, 11:14:16 AM »
I can't see any reason not to. My Turbo Coupe donor car had an aluminum multi-mount for many accessories. I only needed an alternator. In the wrecking yard I found the tightest upper 2.3 alternator mount I could find and then made my own bracket out of an old bed rail (angle iron) on the adjustment side. There is minimal wrap on the water pump but it has never been a cooling/slippage issue. There were a few areas that needed notching around the plastic timing belt cover but with an angle grinder it was easy enough to remedy.


As far as the distributor adjustment goes, I just leave the hard to get on socket on the bolt and use an old, cheap extension that has minimal pressure on the retaining ball (so the socket does NOT come off the bolt). I got tired of 'threading that needle' every time I want to make an adjustment. Sometimes those old, cheap tools DO have a purpose.

Offline rob289c

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Re: Alternator Bracket
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2020, 06:12:13 AM »
Nice looking bracket!  I may resort to fabbing one myself if I don't find a factory version.  I also have old tools (and other treasure) that I hold onto and eventually find uses for.  I'm always trying to make something out of nothing, ie: a wrecked and rotted, no drive train Mustang and a rotted, non-running Pinto!  Nothing goes to waste with me!
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Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: Alternator Bracket
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2020, 08:51:40 PM »
Is there anything that would prevent me from using a non-power steering alternator bracket like I had on all three of my 77's and in the pic below of the 74 engine bay.  That is, providing I can find one.
Nothing except finding one. When you do, the lower bracket will probably be iron. I think the aluminum ones were only used in '79-80.
'72 Runabout - 2.3T, T5, MegaSquirt-II, 8", 5-lugs, big brakes.
'68 Mustang - Built roller 302, Toploader, 9", etc.

Offline rob289c

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Re: Alternator Bracket
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2020, 04:47:33 PM »
There is a junkyard near me with some old cars, actually a couple of early Pintos and a 77 wagon that might have what I'm looking for.  The wagon is pretty much stripped and upside down so I'll have to check.  I may have to fab something or keep as is without the power steering pump.
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Offline rob289c

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Re: Alternator Bracket
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2020, 05:38:45 AM »
Yesterday I was near the junkyard that I know has a few Pintos so I stopped in.  The owner typically isn't around but hew happened to be there.  He gave me permission to go into the overgrown yard to see if he had what I was looking for.  The wagon that I thought was a 77 is really a 79 or 80 (square headlights).  It is on its side and almost upside down and so rotted you can barely tell it's a Pinto.

Nevertheless, it has the non-power steering bracket I need!  The owner said he would try to reposition it so I can get at it so I can go back and get it.

Since it is in a bad position in heavy overgrowth, I would like to make sure I take the correct tools with me.  Can anyone tell me what size wrenches, sockets, extensions, etc I will need to get the upper and lower mounts off this car?  The alternator is still in place so hopefully the through bolt will come out.  I will take penetrating oil and my MAP torch, vice grips, hammer, etc,  just in case but it would be very helpful if I know what size the bolt heads were.  If someone that has a stock non-power steering later model car with original bracket, please check for me an let me know what to bring.  I would hate to go and have to abort the mission because I didn't have the right tools.  This is essentially a closed junkyard and the owner is old and hard to track down.

Thank you in advance...
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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Alternator Bracket
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2020, 02:15:53 PM »
I can't give you the exact sizes needed but I would recommend a small "Brutal Adjustable Wrench" commonly known as a pipe wrench. Anything that has sat out in the elements that long is likely to have bolt/nuts that round off when a wrench is applied.

Offline rob289c

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Re: Alternator Bracket
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2020, 07:35:39 PM »
Good idea.  Also breaker bar and a piece of pipe for extra leverage.  I will put heat to every fastener before I even put a wrench to it.  I have to give myself every chance I can! 
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