FE alternator mount

[Gunner]

I am beginning the process of pulling apart various assemblies on 707 to remove corrosion (it lived near salt water in its prior ownership), replace fasteners with stainless and/or ARP, and to powdercoat various bits.

I am looking at my alternator mounting and trying to figure out what's going on. It's a standard Ford-style alt with a Ford VR. The top bracket appears to be the grey powder-coated or anodized one provided by ERA.

The pivot mounting... is weird. There's a powder-coated base block bolted to the head, with what looks to be a long pivot stud for the alt. At the outer end is what looks to be a piece of flat steel bar stock running from the pivot nut to one of the water pump bosses. It's uncoated and rusting. There is also a piece of similar bar stock at the inner end of the pivot, near the spacer, running to another bolt or boss on the rear of the water pump. (I know, a pic would be helpful but bear with me.)

None of this looks like any standard mounting I've ever seen. I suspect it's a combination of ERA pieces and some inexpensive fab by the original owner.

Is there any reason a standard Ford FE bracket would not work for the outer brace? Is there any point or purpose to the inner brace, given that the mounting bracket is very sturdily bolted to the head? I'd like to dump the inner bar and replace the out with a standard bracket, but I don't want to buy a bracket only to find there's some reason it's not used in this setup.

[patrickt]

How different does it look from mine?

[cobred]

It sounds like you have the brackets that come from E.R.A. with the kit. They sell the top one seperate. I think they make it in house because a stock ford lower bracket will put the alternator too far to the outside of the engine and will hit the suspension or chassis.

[Gunner]

You have the flat bar bracket below, too. Yours isn't rusted.

Do you have the second bar behind it, at the head end of the pivot stud? I really don't understand the purpose of that piece.

Would the standard 2-bolt FE bracket that bolts where this bar bolts, plus the empty boss in the middle, put the alt in the wrong position for this engine bay?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Gunner

Do you have the second bar behind it, at the head end of the pivot stud? I really don't understand the purpose of that piece.

I don't think so, but I'm not completely sure I understand the question.

[Gunner]

That's what I figured. I am trying to decide whether to refinish these brackets or replace them; if standard parts won't fit, I'll redo these.

[Gunner]

On mine, there's a second flat bar much like the one seen in the pic. It's at the base of the pivot stud, though, and runs parallel to the bar seen above. It seems superfluous.

I will get a better look when I pull it all apart. I needed the basic answers before I tore into it; looks as if I have them. Thanks, both of you.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Gunner

On mine, there's a second flat bar much like the one seen in the pic. It's at the base of the pivot stud, though, and runs parallel to the bar seen above. It seems superfluous.

No, I don't have one of those. And I can't see why you'd need one either. I'd just pull your old pieces off and send them off to be dunked and re-powder coated.

[rustyBob]

Gunner, after looking at the pictures of Patrickt's mounts i dont think the stock brackets will work for you because that frame bracket to the left of the alt. would be in the way. his alt. sets pretty high and twords the water pump much more than the stock location.......mine is much lower and further away from the water pump...........

[Jim Holden]

The ERA pieces are custom for their cars due to clearance issues. Have Bob send you (or make available) the manual. It clearly shows the proper parts.

Jim

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

The ERA pieces are custom for their cars due to clearance issues. Have Bob send you (or make available) the manual. It clearly shows the proper parts.

Jim

Jim really should have been a mechanic at ERA, I'm sure that would be his dream job. Speaking of dream jobs, Gunner, that brings to mind a literary quiz: What 20th century classic piece of literature takes its title from Jim working at ERA? It's one of the greatest english novels ever written, and you don't need a JD to figure this one out.

[Jim Holden]

Lord of the Flies?

Actually, I'm not allowed to touch my own cars. I can stand there (wine glass in hand) and point and say; "Gee, why can't we do..." ...and have everyone roll there eyes and say "Sure Jim, no problem." then I go home.

Jim

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

Lord of the Flies?

No, but that's a nice guess. I gave enough hints... and I'm sure you read this book in high school.

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

The ERA pieces are custom for their cars due to clearance issues. Have Bob send you (or make available) the manual. It clearly shows the proper parts.

...sigh. I didn't look under "Parts Preparation." Thanks.

I should have read my Korzeniowski as well.

[Jim Holden]

...and JD Salinger was some 45 years ago...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

...and JD Salinger was some 45 years ago...

Excellent.


EDIT -- Holden Caulfield's dream job was to be the Catcher in the Rye. JD Salinger

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

The ERA pieces are custom for their cars due to clearance issues.

I have the assembly apart and my first notions are confirmed: I didn't think this was ERA's work because the two support bars are, er, pretty crudely worked. Bar stock, roughly cut and shaped and drilled, no finish at all on bare steel. Looking it over, it looked more like someone's junkyard fix than any proper mount. I wonder if someone fabbed these from ERA descriptions instead of waiting for ERA to provide them.

It will all clean up nicely.

[Jim Holden]

If you are able to post a picture, we'll know.

Jim