Hello,

I just got a correct alternator bracket for my 70. Wondering if anyone has some good pictures of how they routed the alternator wires. Before I found the correct bracket the previous owner had the battery ground wire bolted to the top of the bracket. I do not think this was correct. But I am not sure where to put the ground wire.


Thanks for the help!

Here you go Anthony, this should help.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/704EVER2008/Silver%20Resto/100_6364.jpg

I thought battery ground was bolted to bottom side of top alt bracket.

The majority of the unrestored 70's I have seen, the negative cable has been bolted to the block. I have seen some bolted to the alt. bracket but these cars have been restored, so I'm not sure that's totally correct either. I just use the block as a ground as I believe that's the more common place for it.

It appears the ground wire location differed from plant to plant. I'll have to review the assembly manual.

This may mean nothing. My ground cable is attached to the threaded hole in the top of the Alt. bracket. Star washer on the bottom, Cable, then bolt, The " Correct " bolt will have a double " ZZ " type logo on the head.
Behind the Ground threaded hole, You will find a second hole, This is where the Brown " Arrow Head " type plastic wire holder goes for the Alt. wires. The third hole back, This hole holds the metal bracket to support the heater hoses. This info came from a one owner LS-5/ M-22 with Fact. A/C.
My ordered 70 SS El Camino was built in Balt. 2nd. week of March 1970. I left the dealership on the first week of April-70. NOTE:
Other plants may have a different way to attach the ground cables. My 70 used the " Factory " threaded hole on the Alt. bracket. Also, All three holes in the bracket have a job. Again this is a March of 1970, Balt. built unit.
Bob ACES--AACA

A Post Script:
The Alt. Hold down bolt that rides in the adjusting slot. The washer that rides against the sloted rail, It is called a " Double Thick Flat Washer " or Appx. .125 thick. If you DO NOT use a double thick flat washer.????? The standard washer will start to bow and put pressure on the end of the slotted bracket and in time it will crack at the extreme left side, Thats is the reason the factory used the Double thick washer, With the thick washer you are clamping two " Flat Surfaces " Together.
If you need more anal information, Just ask.
Bob:thumbsup:

Thanks for the picture Mike. You may want to get some gunk or something for that nasty engine compartment :) It looks amazing!!
I have a little off white arrow head wrapped up in my wires. Looks pretty old, could be original. I see where it goes, but it does not look right when I snap it in from the bottom.
I bought the correct adjustment bolt and washers. There is a bolt, a star, a large washer, and a locking washer. Looks kind of like an over kill. But if its correct I will use them.

The ground location changed from the block to the top of the alternator early in the production run, I'm thinking like in November-ish. I too would have to look at the assembly manual to see when the change was supposed to be in effect. Mike's car, being an L78, could very well be correctly grounded for his date. I have a friend who has tons of parts, and one day I looked through his 1970 Alternator brackets. He had 8 of them, 3 had no threads or star washer imprints in them, and 5 had threads and star washer markings.