Tall valve covers on a SBC - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cat Fuzz · 12-29-2003, 01:56 AM

Whats the usual solution to having tall valve covers and a drivers side, short water pump alternator? I have to take off the valve cover to remove the alt belt.

dinnut · 12-29-2003, 02:33 AM

you have a/c? why would you have to take the valve cover off? alt is usually on pass. side... unless you have a/c... unless short water pumps are a lot different

PrimeredThunder · 12-29-2003, 05:02 AM

I dont have tall valve covers or A/C, but its not really close with my Alternator on the drivers side and short pump. Then again, my 350 is out of a 74'...

What is hitting and where? what bracket are you using? Any pics?

Kenny

Tx Firefighter · 12-29-2003, 08:41 AM

Dinnut, short pumps ARE a lot different. These thrucks came stock with short pumps you know! Alternator was on the driver's side stock.

Cat Fuzz, I've had that problem. The solution I found was to run a Corvette upper alternator bracket. It's longer and swings the alternator out wider away from the engine. I'm talking about the curved arm with the slot in it. I can get you the GM number if you need it. They are still available at the dealer and under 10 bucks last one I bought.

Tx Firefighter · 12-29-2003, 08:42 AM

Number for longer Corvette bracket is GM # 460754

Chevelle454 · 12-29-2003, 01:57 PM

I have also recently discovered this problem when I installed new valve covers. Couldn't you also just get a slightly longer belt?

FRENCHBLUE72 · 12-29-2003, 02:07 PM

Thank's for the part # tex as I am getting tire of taking the alt bracket off to adjust the valve's..

special70gmc · 12-29-2003, 02:40 PM

i too have to take my valve covers off and i dont evan have really tall covers. it kinda sucks. -kyle

Cat Fuzz · 12-29-2003, 03:55 PM

Heres a pic. The problem is when I go to take off the belt, it won't swing back far enough to be able to get the belt off. A longer belt only maxed out the adjustment. I made an extension bracket for a temporary fix, but it looks uber cheesy.

Thanks for the part number Tx! You say its only about 10 bucks? Sweet.

Tx Firefighter · 12-29-2003, 05:50 PM

The vette lower bracket also interchanges onto our trucks. It's aluminum rather than cast iron. Also, it spaces the alternator directly outward from where it is now. It moves it exactly towards the fender. Between the two, the alternator is moved a good bit to the drivers side from where it is now.

dinnut · 12-29-2003, 06:19 PM

wow. thanks tx firefighter. the engines in both of my trucks are not stock and didnt know these trucks came with short water pumps and with the alt. on the drivers side. both of mine are tall water pumps i guess...

70ChevyLongbed · 12-29-2003, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cat Fuzz
uber cheesy.

Sorry dude it struck me funny.

Tx's info sounds the best for your situation. *wishin I had bolt holes in my head* um.. wait...

I wanted to add a note. The Alan Grove Driver-Side-Short-Waterpump Alternator bracket mounts the Alt far enough toward the fender as not to get in the way of the tall valve covers. This is an expensive fix, but if you didn't have bolt holes in the head it would be a good solid fix. IM 'humble' O

12-29-2003, 01:56 AM	#1
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	Tall valve covers on a SBC Whats the usual solution to having tall valve covers and a drivers side, short water pump alternator? I have to take off the valve cover to remove the alt belt.

12-29-2003, 02:33 AM	#2
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	you have a/c? why would you have to take the valve cover off? alt is usually on pass. side... unless you have a/c... unless short water pumps are a lot different __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-29-2003, 05:02 AM	#3
PrimeredThunder Back from the Dead Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 522	I dont have tall valve covers or A/C, but its not really close with my Alternator on the drivers side and short pump. Then again, my 350 is out of a 74'... What is hitting and where? what bracket are you using? Any pics? Kenny __________________ The only Carb that matters to me is the one under my hood! Salem, Oregon

12-29-2003, 08:41 AM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Dinnut, short pumps ARE a lot different. These thrucks came stock with short pumps you know! Alternator was on the driver's side stock. Cat Fuzz, I've had that problem. The solution I found was to run a Corvette upper alternator bracket. It's longer and swings the alternator out wider away from the engine. I'm talking about the curved arm with the slot in it. I can get you the GM number if you need it. They are still available at the dealer and under 10 bucks last one I bought. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-29-2003, 08:42 AM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Number for longer Corvette bracket is GM # 460754 __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-29-2003, 01:57 PM	#6
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	I have also recently discovered this problem when I installed new valve covers. Couldn't you also just get a slightly longer belt? __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

12-29-2003, 02:07 PM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	Thank's for the part # tex as I am getting tire of taking the alt bracket off to adjust the valve's.. Attached Images __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-29-2003, 02:40 PM	#8
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	i too have to take my valve covers off and i dont evan have really tall covers. it kinda sucks. -kyle Attached Images __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

12-29-2003, 03:55 PM	#9
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	Heres a pic. The problem is when I go to take off the belt, it won't swing back far enough to be able to get the belt off. A longer belt only maxed out the adjustment. I made an extension bracket for a temporary fix, but it looks uber cheesy. Thanks for the part number Tx! You say its only about 10 bucks? Sweet. Attached Images

12-29-2003, 05:50 PM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	The vette lower bracket also interchanges onto our trucks. It's aluminum rather than cast iron. Also, it spaces the alternator directly outward from where it is now. It moves it exactly towards the fender. Between the two, the alternator is moved a good bit to the drivers side from where it is now. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-29-2003, 06:19 PM	#11
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	wow. thanks tx firefighter. the engines in both of my trucks are not stock and didnt know these trucks came with short water pumps and with the alt. on the drivers side. both of mine are tall water pumps i guess... Attached Images __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"



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