Am I missing an Alternator Bottom Bracket?

[Gregski]

a little help please I have a '74 GMC 1500 350 4spd 1/2 ton 2 WD

when fandangling with my alternator in order to do an intake manifold swap I noticed that the long 6 inch bolt had too many washers on it - hmmm I thought that's odd

today I ask Manuel what he thought and he shows me this here diagram

clearly I am missing the three hole bracket in VIEW B, I thought nothing of the holes in the water pump as I thought they were for the A.I.R pump bracket (which I have already deleted, and yes perhaps I should have paid a bit more attention where it went, LOL) but now I believe they is for the missing alternator bracket

[Gregski]

here's a pic of a similar motor with the bracket, I think, can you guys confirm or deny that's what is missing and that's indeed what I need please

the pic is from a Chevy Talk forum where a guy tears down his 1966 C20 further down in that thread

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh.../fromsearch/1/

[mechanicalman]

Well I think you are correct and answered your own question.

However, I don't see a reason why you really need the bracket except the bolt will be a little too long and might bottom out and crack the head.

It would be better to go to the salvage yard and get the correct spacer for behind the alternator next to the head (not sure what you meant by too many washers, in front of or behind?). And then either shorten the bolt the thickness of missing bracket or use a few washers to simulate the thickness of missing bracket (maybe what you have now).

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

It would be better to go to the salvage yard and get the correct spacer for behind the alternator next to the head (not sure what you meant by too many washers, in front of or behind?). And then either shorten the bolt the thickness of missing bracket or use a few washers to simulate the thickness of missing bracket (maybe what you have now).

I do have the bracket that goes behind the alternator, see pic below please, and I mean extra washers in the front of that long bolt, also seen in the pic below

[greg64]

Greg, here's a picture I found as well. My engines aren't setup like this, so I can't first hand confirm this. But I think the bracket is important because it's the non threaded side of the alternator that provides all the support and keeps the alt in-plane, related to belt alignment. I don't see how just the bolt and spacer into the head would be adequate.

[77 350 Shorty Wide]

Good Morning Greg, Yes get one and use it. Gives a higher degree of support and stability.

God Bless, Terry

[Gregski]

so picked up this beauty at the junkyard today for $8 bucks and bolted her right up