Jeremy mentioned something in the vented hood thread that got me to thinking...

Heat is the enemy of electrics, greatly increasing resistance. Yet our alternators are plopped on top of our engines where they'll get the hottest.

I have the A/C & power steering pumps removed from my car. Is there an easy way to relocate the alternator down where the A/C used to be and preserve the same belt length & tension?

If so that would free up some over-the-engine space for a deeper, longer hood vent as well as locate the alternator in a cooler spot for longer life.

 

are you having electrical problems? Mine is fine, always has.

 

My alternator is messed. My volt guage shows between 14 and 16 volts while driving. And I need to make an hr trip on the expressway tomrrow but don't know if it's a good idea. I don't want to pop my battery or somthing.

 

If you have basic metalworking skills (can cut metal fairly precisely and can weld it fairly securely) then making new alternator brackets os no problem.

In fact, relocating the alternator to the side of the engine could be beneficial, in that it would increase the belt wrap around the water pump pulley, meaning no need for dual belts.

Heat isn't THAT big of a deal. Alternator failures are uncommon. The (larger output, similar size) alternator on my T-birds was mounted practically to the exhaust manifold and I had no problems!