[mviker]

I'm running into some trouble finding a good bracket setup for the alternator in my 62 GP. Originally, the car came with a generator, but the previous owner installed an alternator, but in a not so elegant way. I've had my engine back from being rebuilt and have tried the two most obvious brackets, one is the large aluminum bracket from an A/C equipped 62, the other is the aluminum bracket from a 63. I thought they would be simple bolt-ins, but I ran into a couple problems. First, I've got a set of finned Cal Custom valve covers that interfere with the Alternator and second, it appears that the alternator pulley doesn't line up correctly on the water pump and crank pulleys. I'm thinking I'd have to swap out the pulleys to make either one of these work, not to mention getting rid of the valve covers.
Is there some aftermarket bracket kit out there that mounts the alternator to the side instead of in front of the valve covers? I've checked Summit and Jegs, but it seems everything they have is Chevy or Ford.

[tom s]

the 63 non a/c bracket is the one you want BUT you will need to grind clearance in your valve covers.Best to get the waterpump and balancer pullys from a 63 engine also.Other than that get a alt setup from a later year when they moved it to the drivers side of the motor.Tom

[goldeneyee]

I've run into the same problem. What you'll need to do is fabricate an aluminum spacer about 3/8" thick that fits behind the alternator bracket and spaces out all three bolts. Your pulleys will then line up and there will be no interference with the valve covers

[mviker]

Bill,

I'll give that a whirl. That seems almost too easy. Probably why I didn't think of it!
Thanks!

[Deadhead]

Funny,

There is a set of Cal Custom Alum valve covers on E-Bay right now that were notched to fit a '62-63 Big Pontiac. Reasonable price too!

[mviker]

Tom & Deadhead,

I think I'm going to try Goldeneye's suggestion. I'd prefer not to have to do any grinding on the valve covers if at all possible. I'm just waiting for some decent weather to get out to the car and look into using the spacer. Another thing I'm mulling over is using the old generator brackets and going with a "fake" generator. I see there's a company called PowerMax that makes an alternator that looks like the factory generator. It's supposed to slip right on in where the old generator fits and maintain the factory appearance. That would also solve the clearance issues I'm having with the valve covers. I just came across this recently.

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/powergen.html

Either way, it looks like a decent solution that doesn't involve grinding. I like that!

Kevin

[wfbarto]

Originally Posted by mviker

Tom & Deadhead,

I think I'm going to try Goldeneye's suggestion. I'd prefer not to have to do any grinding on the valve covers if at all possible. I'm just waiting for some decent weather to get out to the car and look into using the spacer. Another thing I'm mulling over is using the old generator brackets and going with a "fake" generator. I see there's a company called PowerMax that makes an alternator that looks like the factory generator. It's supposed to slip right on in where the old generator fits and maintain the factory appearance. That would also solve the clearance issues I'm having with the valve covers. I just came across this recently.

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/powergen.html

Either way, it looks like a decent solution that doesn't involve grinding. I like that!

Kevin

If you can swing the money for one of these Powermaster replacements that would be the way to go! No grinding and original look under the hood.

[mviker]

Oh yeah....Just got off the phone with Powermaster. That thing goes for $469.00. Yeouch! There's another guy on the net that guts real generators and rebuilds them into alternators. Calls them "genernators". I talked to him last year and I think he was saying over $800.
Man. Neither one is cheap. If I can get the 63 bracket to fit and line up using a spacer, then that's the way to go although I do like the idea of having the generator look for authenticity. Just have to pay a lot for it. :P

[wfbarto]

Originally Posted by mviker

Oh yeah....Just got off the phone with Powermaster. That thing goes for $469.00. Yeouch! There's another guy on the net that guts real generators and rebuilds them into alternators. Calls them "genernators". I talked to him last year and I think he was saying over $800.
Man. Neither one is cheap. If I can get the 63 bracket to fit and line up using a spacer, then that's the way to go although I do like the idea of having the generator look for authenticity. Just have to pay a lot for it. :P

You might want to post this over on the Electrical forum. Some of those guys that hang out there may be able to steer you to someone that can sell you a "converted" generator or can pull off the conversion much cheaper. Just a thought.

[perryka]

Kevin, PM sent.

[kid-zort]

I have the same problem, and now own 2 or 3 different brackets all of which push the alternator inline with the power steering... I gave up on power steering for awhile and ran just the alternator. (I now have arms like our Govenor) Great on the highway. But, tough to pull into those compact parking spots!!!

If you get something to work, I'd appreaciate finding out what your solution is

[mviker]

Kid Zort,

I bit the bullet and got the PowerGen alternator disguised as a generator. I bought it from Jegs at about a $76 discount from what Powermaster charges directly, but man, I'll tell ya, it bolts right on using the old generator brackets and lines up perfectly. If you have your old generator brackets still, you may want to go this route. It's not cheap, but there's no cutting or modifying, and now that I sit back and look at it, I'm glad I have the stock look still. It IS a one wire alternator, so you shouldn't have to pfutz with your wiring since you have that setup already. It was a long road and a lot of different brackets, but I'm finally good to go. Check out the pics...

[wfbarto]

Looks great to me....I think you made a wise decision!

[mviker]

Thanks wfbarto,

Finding a decent solution was a little tougher than I originally thought it would be, but all's well. Got a nice stash of brackets now too! HA!

Have a good one,

Kevin

[kid-zort]

Thats a great looking solution! Thanks for the follow-up and the pics.
Looks like we now have the market cornered on Alt. brackets

[mviker]

Kid,

Both Summit and Jeg's have the Powergen at the same price. Still cheaper than going directly through Powermaster.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Powermaster/713/82051/10002/-1

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

I'm thinking of making some kind of modern sculpture with the bracket pile.

[Stuart]

I have to ask...did you really need to switch from a generator? As long as you don't have any devices that need a lot of amps (big stereos, fuel injections, etc.) a generator can work just fine - I've never had any problems with them in any of the '61 Pontiacs I've owned.

[mviker]

Well Stuart,

If the car had come with a generator when I bought it, I would have stuck with it, but the previous owner had swapped to an alternator, and did a bad job of it with the brackets. He also wrecked the wiring trying to get it to work, which didn't help. I had two choices...straighten out the alternator mess or go back to a generator. Yes, I would have preferred to stick with the original generator if I had it, but I'm good with the setup as it is now.

Kevin

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by mviker

Well Stuart,

If the car had come with a generator when I bought it, I would have stuck with it, but the previous owner had swapped to an alternator, and did a bad job of it with the brackets. He also wrecked the wiring trying to get it to work, which didn't help. I had two choices...straighten out the alternator mess or go back to a generator. Yes, I would have preferred to stick with the original generator if I had it, but I'm good with the setup as it is now.

Kevin

Ah, makes sense. That Powergen unit does look pretty good.

[mviker]

I agree. It also saved me a lot of hassle with the wiring, which isn't my biggest forte' anyway. I can now move on to other things with the car. That makes me a happy man!