The 351 in Don's track car sits an inch taller on its mounts than the 302 it previously had due partly to solid mounts. The 351 is about an inch taller in deck height, and the heads are at least an inch taller than stock (Edelbrock Performer series).

The problem here is that the alternator bracket just will not work unless a radical hood is used, and we prefer not to mess with the hoodline if it can be helped.

Here are two views of the problem:




You can see how tall it stands up...

Question is, do we weld up our own bracket to lower the alternators mounting profile, leave it off and mount an extra battery (which is what others have done), or is there a source for trick brackets, or stock brackets that will do the job?

The alternator right now is a serpentine type. I would not rule out a vee-belt type if the bracket dropped the alternator low enough to get around this problem....

Any news for me?

*crosses fingers*

NOTE1: There is another issue raised in that it jacks with the upper radiator hose. The fan on the alternator pulley is liable to buzz-saw through it.

NOTE2: We looked at using the AIR (smog) pump mount, but the set back is the wrong distance. There appears to be no way to modify the stock mounting bracket.

NOTE3: We looked at mounting the bracket upside down on the other head, but it gets in the way of several things over on that side even though it drops it down significantly.

 

It's a little hard to tell, but it looks like that bracket has been modified anyway. The alternator should be laying down almost snug against the bracket that locates it to the head. What's that big beefy looking thing with all the holes in it on the right side front of the alternator?

I would do some junkyard scrounging and look for a bracket off of an earlier ('70s era) 351 or 302, or build a bracket, or even move the alternator to the differential. (That's what I did on my circle track stock car...used a compact Honda alternator mounted right on the pumpkin. Worked great to keep the battery up all evening long and put less drag on the engine.)

 

The big plate with the bolt holes is the tensioner mount. Its a stock mount from a 302 in a mustang.

 

Try asking your question at www.corral.net, it is a mustang forum and you will probly get some good suggestions there.