Any reason not to use billet low mount bracket for alternator

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Swearbody

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I think it looks better when the alternator sits even with the PS pump. Is there any reason that would be a bad idea. I know GM put it where it is for some reason but I cant see any reason to leave it that way. Im looking at ITC Billet aluminum
 

Shorty81

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Mine sits up high. That's the only brkt I had at the time but kinda like it.
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Down low you pick up a lot of debris on a daily driver: splash, road salt, dust and such.

When GM puts them down low they shield them in some way.

We put them up high for ease of maintenance, or based on the loads of driving all the various other components on the accessory drive.

K
 

Swearbody

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Down low you pick up a lot of debris on a daily driver: splash, road salt, dust and such.

When GM puts them down low they shield them in some way.

We put them up high for ease of maintenance, or based on the loads of driving all the various other components on the accessory drive.

K
Ok...i get that. I did assume the debris reasons are valid. My truck still has the inner fender, under fender(dont know the real name) and where the alternator would sit if relocated is completely encompassed by other parts. It is not a daily and will be driven maybe 1000 miles a year if that.
As far as load well... The reason GM feels comfortable putting them in different places from the factory is its gonna be the same lateral load regardless of where it sits since there is no tensioner involved and centripetal and centrifugal forces only apply to the rotational mass being driven so no worries there.
My concern is more what if anything will interfere with it being in the lower position. From what I can see nothing is in the way.

YES, i am trying to convince myself if thats not obvious ,LOL I am totally being that guy

I just really hate the little tensioner rod( like a tie rod) used by the overhead billet brackets and would prefer it was more like the lower brackets that actually seems to hold the alt in place better.

If i am leaving it overhead ill end up using the OE brackets. I already have them and also have painted them already to match the engine.
 

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Mine sits up high. That's the only brkt I had at the time but kinda like it.
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Nice clean engine bay. I dig it.
 

AuroraGirl

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Ok...i get that. I did assume the debris reasons are valid. My truck still has the inner fender, under fender(dont know the real name) and where the alternator would sit if relocated is completely encompassed by other parts. It is not a daily and will be driven maybe 1000 miles a year if that.
As far as load well... The reason GM feels comfortable putting them in different places from the factory is its gonna be the same lateral load regardless of where it sits since there is no tensioner involved and centripetal and centrifugal forces only apply to the rotational mass being driven so no worries there.
My concern is more what if anything will interfere with it being in the lower position. From what I can see nothing is in the way.

YES, i am trying to convince myself if thats not obvious ,LOL I am totally being that guy

I just really hate the little tensioner rod( like a tie rod) used by the overhead billet brackets and would prefer it was more like the lower brackets that actually seems to hold the alt in place better.

If i am leaving it overhead ill end up using the OE brackets. I already have them and also have painted them already to match the engine.
I do not recommend putting an alternator or power steering pump low AT ALL. I dont even like mid, where mine sits from factory(to accomodate compressor).

Alternator: leaky valve covers WILL find their way all over alternator, same with a leaky PS pump if mounted above. dont ask how it just will. infact, if it only leaks once its where it leaks.
Debris from road more kick up(could shield, but it WILL find its way there esp if you dont clean
Lower means harder to access usually
May have to extend wiring to reach(more connections = more points of failure, this can be remedied with really good wiring techniques or new harness)

PS pump
Cap which is vented for pressure relief can do neither esp if it gets dirty. look at the back of a gm 3800 series 2 engine after 200k miles.
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see where that goes? take years of dirt from just the air + driving, fluids leaking onto it(both coolant and oil are above in this case), its own fluid and its problems(weeping hoses, leaks from overheat/owner checking it, etc)
also, hard to fill. even with proper funnel i always make more of a mess when filling a fluid that cannot be filled without an extension of some kind. owners who dont care arent gonna wipe it up.
When it comes time to change it, harder to reach, full of grime, and maybe its life got reduced because the cap was blocked and the system was pressurized.


Now, of course, if you take care of your engine and vehicle you can mitgate most of those problems. But as second+ hand owner to all my vehicles, its never the case :(
But if you already have the bracket send it. Otherwise id try to keep those two items high up, compressor, air, AIR pumps, anything else that doesnt require fluid checks OR is sealed externally are preferable lower. So a water pump, although it has a hose connection on sbc, you can put it low if you had the choice of moving them. typically pretty center in most. but ac compressor? cover the lines and put it low out of the way, its how most do it now.
AIR Pump? Put it in ta spot where its hard to get to and will wear out, and discontinue new pumps. Enjoy
 

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After going to the shop and looking at everything it does seem that the alternator would be too close to the radiator, ac, and trans cooler lines if moved to the lower position.
AS far as the ps pump, well its already as low as it could possibly be from the factory so I dont think leaving it there will be a problem...nor are there any other options to put it "up high" that Ive seen... @AuroraGirl . That would require custom lines and brackets and has never been done by gm on a sbc THAT I KNOW OF.

Ive had 3 lesabres so I feel ya about the 3.8...best 6 ever made though,LOL


I know I could just cut the oe bracket to clear the headers as ive always done in the past( actually already have a cut and painted bracket) but its just so bulky and ugly. But I guess if it aint broke dont fix it right.

This is my mid-life crisis build. Yknow the one where you spend waaay to much time overthinking everything and use only shiny parts.
 

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I've used the mid mount brackets, looks like a big "C".
 

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After going to the shop and looking at everything it does seem that the alternator would be too close to the radiator, ac, and trans cooler lines if moved to the lower position.
AS far as the ps pump, well its already as low as it could possibly be from the factory so I dont think leaving it there will be a problem...nor are there any other options to put it "up high" that Ive seen... @AuroraGirl . That would require custom lines and brackets and has never been done by gm on a sbc THAT I KNOW OF.

Ive had 3 lesabres so I feel ya about the 3.8...best 6 ever made though,LOL


I know I could just cut the oe bracket to clear the headers as ive always done in the past( actually already have a cut and painted bracket) but its just so bulky and ugly. But I guess if it aint broke dont fix it right.

This is my mid-life crisis build. Yknow the one where you spend waaay to much time overthinking everything and use only shiny parts.
there are high mount ps brackets. i guess just as far as things go, id say if you choose where your accessories are, keep ps pump lower than other items esp the alternator(or just not above it), then keep everything above the lower part of the heads where valve cover gaskets would find its way onto it. a passenger side alternator and mid-driver side PS Pump would do most of that okay,
 

custodian

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This is the motor I originally built for the 73. Mid mount alternator mount on passenger side.

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Swearbody

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I ended up ordering this ICT kit

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wanderinthru

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I ended up ordering this ICT kit

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That is not low. Though it does look like a nice set up and does put the alt. up there where it needs to be! As stated eariler, by others and imo the alt needs to be up high where it is running as clean as it can be. Power steering pump, and box, as well as the starter for the most part are sealed units. Don't matter much if they are caked up in ****. The alt is not sealed and needs to be kept as clean as possible.
 

AuroraGirl

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I ended up ordering this ICT kit

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looks good, pretty sure they make one to put PS pump higher IF you wanted, but from where you have no obstruction above the pump and its accessible. Just make sure you keep those valve cover gaskets clean and you will have no worries :)
 

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