Driver Side Alternator?

staticattic · Apr 18, 2020

The alternator bolt in my truck sheared off recently. It did not have the bottom bracket and I guess the vibrations finally sheared it off. The bolt broke off below the surface of the block. A buddy of mine has an EZ Out kit and came over to help drill it out. Long story short, the drilling penetrated a coolant channel. So now, not only do I not have an alternator, I am also leaking coolant. What can I do to fix this? I have heard about relocating the alternator to the driver side. Is that a good option? Can someone please post pics? I did a search here for “Driver side alternator” and got no hits. I refuse to believe this one little issue has killed my entire engine. For what it is worth, I have the long water pump. At a minimum, is there a way I can rig it so I can still drive???

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SDJunkMan · Apr 18, 2020

A CUCV (military squarebody) had dual alternators, one on each side, but those were 6.2 diesels, so I don't know if the brackets could be made to work. I would include a pic, but am at work right now.

Snoots · Apr 18, 2020

First off, were you able to remove the broken bolt?

If so, I'd drain the coolant,
flush the bolt hole with 91% alcohol
wait for it to dry
Use JB Weld at the BACK of the hole (you shouldn't need a lot)
give it plenty of time to set up
get a heli-coil kit
repair the bolt hole
get the right bracket
get a new bolt that will NOT shove itself into the JB Weld
Install the new bolt and bracket WRAPPING the bolt with at least 2 turns of Teflon tape.

Cross your fingers.

Let us know how you come out of this no matter what you try. Best of luck!

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AuroraGirl · Apr 18, 2020

Uh,,,that is some serious problemas you have there.

I would say... tap the hole.. plug it with a seal plug(PTFE?). brass.

Then, I would get an alternator relocation bracket which can put it up closer to the hood, meant for those pristine chromed engines with little accessories, i think.

But, to put it on the other side, WITH your ps pump, I think you might need a bracket that allows the use of a ac compressor bracket setup. DO you have a PS pump with 2 grooves for belts and the bracket on the adjuster and on the valve cover(mounts to intake)for a compressor? You might need to fab it.

CoggedBelt75 · Apr 18, 2020

Mine is driver side mounted. Short pump on mine tho. Mount from Summit racing.

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78C10BigTen · Apr 18, 2020

CoggedBelt75 said:
Mine is driver side mounted. Short pump on mine tho. Mount from Summit racing.

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Curious question, how big is yur blower?

CoggedBelt75 · Apr 18, 2020

Rusty Nail · Apr 18, 2020

Voted no, BUT you get new cylinder heads now.

staticattic · Apr 18, 2020

Snoots said:
First off, were you able to remove the broken bolt?

If so, I'd drain the coolant,
flush the bolt hole with 91% alcohol
wait for it to dry
Use JB Weld at the BACK of the hole (you shouldn't need a lot)
give it plenty of time to set up
get a heli-coil kit
repair the bolt hole
get the right bracket
get a new bolt that will NOT shove itself into the JB Weld
Install the new bolt and bracket WRAPPING the bolt with at least 2 turns of Teflon tape.

Cross your fingers.

Let us know how you come out of this no matter what you try. Best of luck!
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More of the story, the bolt was seized. When he used his EZ Out, it broke off inside the bolt. At that point, he decided to drill it out for a helicoil. That’s how I got to this point.

To answer your question, yes the bolt is out. For whatever reason the tap isn’t biting. It’s like the hole isn’t quite deep enough or something.

Snoots · Apr 18, 2020

I've had that problem before. Solved it by locking the tap into a vise and whacked it sideways with a hammer.
Broke it off square so it didn't bottom out with the tip.

Just sayin'

82sbshortbed · Apr 18, 2020

CoggedBelt75 said:
Mine is driver side mounted. Short pump on mine tho. Mount from Summit racing.

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I get jealous every time I see your motor Joe. Lol

That is Nice!

78C10BigTen · Apr 18, 2020

82sbshortbed said:
I get jealous every time I see your motor Joe. Lol

That is Nice!

I second that notion!!!!

CoggedBelt75 · Apr 19, 2020

82sbshortbed said:
I get jealous every time I see your motor Joe. Lol

That is Nice!

78C10BigTen said:
I second that notion!!!!

Thanks guys. Been running the combo 13 years now.

Nonstop · Apr 19, 2020

May I suggest, either repair and tap the hole to be reused (ideal) OR thoroughly clean the hole and fill it with JB Weld. Then get the lower bracket, bolt it to the water pump, then bolt the lower bracket to the alternator, but not into the head. Will at least get you going for a while.

Turbo4whl · Apr 19, 2020

Many suggestions are listed. Proper fix would be best on that BB head. Removing the head for repair is also best but maybe not needed if you get a skilled welder. Drain the coolant. Plot exactly where the bolt hole should be. Fill the hole with weld. A good stick welder is needed to insure the welded fill starts at the bottom of the hole. grind it flat and drill the hole as plotted. Use a three tap set, starter, plug and bottoming tap.

If you chose to have it welded in the truck, disconnect the battery before welding.

Driver Side Alternator?

staticattic

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SDJunkMan

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Snoots

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AuroraGirl

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CoggedBelt75

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78C10BigTen

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CoggedBelt75

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Rusty Nail

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staticattic

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Snoots

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82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!

78C10BigTen

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CoggedBelt75

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Nonstop

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Turbo4whl

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