Man, I'm not sure how to ask this question clearly. Here goes...

I got new valve covers and they're tall. This is causing a clearance issue with my alternator.

But my alternator setup seems awkward at best anyway, and I'm wondering what my options are.

Right now it's set up like this, and if you have an NPD catalog I'll give part numbers for these brackets 'cause I don't have pictures:

Bracket, drivers side, fits around the header (C-2317-05B), then the (-05C) bracket that goes to the alternator. But inbetween those two is the power steering adjuster bracket (C-6606-1A) that this catalog says is supposed to bolt to the exhaust manifold.

Sorry for the long post. But was this just probably joined with the other two brackets when headers were installed? How do you small block guys with headers use that power steering adjustment bracket?

The whole thing just looks like a jumbled mess, and I'm wondering what my options are. I don't have A/C, can I move the alternator to the passenger side? Are there simple and clean bracket assemblies for such an application? Does everyone else have four (including the long adjustment bracket on top) brackets attached to their alternators?

Again, sorry for the lengthy post. Any input or advice will be appreciated. Doesn't have to be factory, I just want it to be more tidy, and since I'm having a clearance issue anyway, seems like the time to address it. Thanks.

Ed.

maybe someone with a similular set up can post a pic. 1970 stuf is set up differently. sorry

I use Alan Grove brackets on my street rod. I also have early model heads with no mounting holes, tall valve covers and a short water pump. Might give them a look. http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/

Some smallblocks have the alt mounted on the pass side from the factory. If you have accessory holes in the passenger side head and you use a long (350) waterpump then you can use factory brackets for the conversion.

No holes in the heads for mounting on either side.

Morosso makes a longer bracket for the top adjustment for the alternator, I'll get that.

But I did a search on this site for the power steering with headers issue and it has been discussed many times over the years. Lots of guys have come up with creative ways to handle it, it seems, but nobody seems to make a bracket for the power steering adjuster for SBCs with headers and without being able to bolt into the heads. Seems like it just has to be an extremely ordinary problem.

Oh well. What I have now works (once I get the Morosso bracket), it just looks sloppy and thrown together.

Thanks for the input.
Ed.

Alan Grove does make the PS bracket and along with their Alt bracket will do what you want. NOTHING bolts to the heads and everything clears headers and tall valve covers.

Thank you Dave. I actually called Alan Grove when I saw your post, and he said he didn't have anything for my application. What does your power steering adjustment bracket mount to, and by chance would you have any photos of it? Thanks. Ed.

Funny, its one of his.... http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/Power_Steering.htm#small
Bolts to the 'front' motor mount holes and shares the side mount hole with the actual mount. In fact, the one in the picture has headers.

Yeah, that sure looks like it would work. You're talking about the first one pictured on that page, right? I wish that rear view photo was larger. I'll call him again and see what he says.

Thanks.
Ed.

Up through 68 ALLLLLLLLLLL Chevelle alternators were mounted on the left side and the air comp was on the right (both BB & SB). Then in 69, they swapped sides. I've been jacking with all kinds of Chevys since the late 50s, and so far, the factory mounting brackets for all accessories, including the alternator, have GENERALLY proven to be the best design and most functional. In my book, the absolute best setup that Chevy has ever had for accessories/brackets, was 64-68. Through 68, all SB alternators were attached to a bracket which bolted to the left exhaust manifold. If you replace the manifold with headers, then of course, you have to buy an aftermarket lower bracket to attach to the flange bolts on number 1 cylinder. This is not the best, but if you buy a quality bracket, it works fine. If you use the stock adjusting brace with the tall valve covers, I think that it is long enough to allow the use of a longer belt so that the covers won't interfere with the alt. I don't care how you slice it, when Chevy moved the air comp over to the left side in 69, they screwed the pooch! Changing and/or working on 69-later engines (with air cond) is an absolute hassle (of course, the late model engines are not a hassle to work on----------------THEY'RE IMPOSSIBLE!!!!).

Check out this link. I bought one of the brackets described and pictured in this article. It worked great with my '67 283 and headers, and it allows the stock PS pump bracket to fit perfectly.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/93578/

Reid

Okay. I've narrowed down my problem. I decided that my alternator bracket that bolts onto the headers, then uses the stock alternator bracket is fine. And the power steering bracket that was meant to bolt to the exhaust manifold is bolted onto those two brackets, and that's also fine. There's room for the power steering and the alternator and everything lines up.

But the stupid tall valve covers make the adjustment bracket for the top of the stupid alternator too short. Stupid Morosso makes a stupid bracket that's a good 3" longer than the stupid stock one, but because of the curve in it, it ALSO is too short! Honestly, the stock one only needed to be 1.5" longer!

I just can't believe that there aren't fifty thousand people in this country with old style no bolt havin heads and tall valve covers. I can't find a bracket long enough.

Those Alan Grove people I'm sure have something I can use, but at $80 a pop I'm really not excited about that. They also have a really slick contemporary look that I don't need, I want it to look like an old car under the hood. I'm looking for a stupid fifteen dollar bracket.

Sorry. I get so frustrated when I get stuck on what seems like such a small problem, but I'll be damned if I can figure it out.

Any more ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Stupid Ed.