454 alt bracket not lining up.

[jmedero]

Not sure what I'm doing wrong here. Short water pump 454. What am I doing wrong? Any pics or advise would be great.

[turp mcspray]

Is that an aftermarket bracket? I've used a new bracket like that 3 times, and every time I have had to modify it to fit. All 3 times were used with an aftermarket aluminum intake. So I don't know if it was an intake issue, or a bracket issue. I'm betting it was a problem with the bracket.
Just one of the joys of messing with old cars. LOL!

[jmedero]

Well I have the original bracket and no go. It has to be the intake. I'll mess with it tonight and see what I come up with.

[aris_unlimited]

Grab the hammer. Time to "make" something fit lol.

[merlin3]

had the same problem, tried 5 different brackets also had to get rid of Weiand chrome water pump i had to use the kit from Summit with the adjusting rod part #sum-42012 or sum-43013 but had to buy a longer adjusting rod that kit solved the problem and fit good.

[mr48chev]

Waterpump shouldn't make any difference unless you need to space the bracket further out at the bottom. Did the original setup have a bolt with a stud on the end to slip the bracket over?

Try pulling the bolt out and screwing it back in without the bracket and see if the bracket lines up when you put it up against the head of the bolt. That 3/8 or so distance might just be enough to drop the bracket down to where a tiny bit of adjusting would work.

[sKnNyPpY]

Probably needs a bolt spacer 1/2" or so on the bolt you have threaded to angle the bracket out to line up the top bolt. That is how mine worked on my 350 with a long water pump. My brackets came with the spacers.

[Andy4639]

Take the bracket back off and file the bottom hole until it fits to the top. Longate it. You will never know it once it's on.

[sKnNyPpY]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Take the bracket back off and file the bottom hole until it fits to the top. Longate it. You will never know it once it's on.

Not to knock this suggestion, but test fitting the alternator with the intake and bracket might help figure out where spacers might do before cutting or hammering. I have a '71 RWD GMC with a '72 4x4 engine, aftermarket replaced A/C, and a long water pump ('73 and up) and all of my brackets work with the bolt sleeve spacers. https://www.google.com/search?q=bolt...J&ved=0CDwQsAQ

[Andy4639]

Hard to say at the picture angle this is taken at but the spacer to me want pull that bracket down like the picture shows anyway. It may it's just hard to say by this angle.
Looking at that bottom bolt and bracket and water pump it looks like the bracket is hitting the pump and want let it seat. The bolt hole looks like it's above the bolt head.

[sKnNyPpY]

More pictures! You know we love pictures right ?!? I love me some 454 action as if I need any inspiration to spend any more money

[custom1970]

Its because of the intake. I remember having to modify the bracket and the intake. I'll look and see if I have any pics. If not I can try and take some close ups of what I had to do if you like.

[custom1970]

And of course the radiator hose blocks the view of the closest pic I have. But I do remember having to to use a grinder to trim some metal off of the bracket. Water pump shouldn't be the issue, I had the same problem when I changed my intake. What kind of intake are you running? David

[Andy4639]

I modified your picture to show you what I see. Are what I think I see depending on the angle of the picture. It looks like the bracket is to long of a snout on it. Cut it off and redrill the hole should fix it.

[jmedero]

It's an edelbrock intake. It looks like the solution is going to be a grind on the bottom bolt hole and an elongation of the top one. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll post up pics of final install.... I now have 3 brackets and I love fab work so let's see what happens.

[custom1970]

Didn't have a chance to go by the truck this morning (i don't keep it at my house), but, thinking back I'm pretty sure I used a high speed grinder in the area I marked. Took out just enough metal so the bracket would side down over that Edelbrock bump. And I also have an Edelbrock so it might be an issue only with there intakes. Wasn't happy about having to modify the bracket, but at the time didn't see any other option. David

Actually, looking back at your pic, it may have been on the back side, behind where i marked it with blue. I'll try and get you a pic. I know it's hard to see the mod once everything is put back together.

[Livrat]

I believe that an aftermarket intake, aftermarket alternator bracket and an aftermarket water pump could all an equal part of the issue, but you are missing one key component.
Originally the lower inner mounting on the water pump to alternator bracket had a stud, installing one may help cure your issue

https://www.drclassic.com/catalog/Ca...re/T00300.html

[custom1970]

I'm running stock water pump and the stock bracket. Everything worked fine until I changed to the Edelbrock intake. Here's a old pic of my stock intake, notice it doesn't seem to have the high bolt hole like the edelbrock.

[jmedero]

Wow that stud looks like it could be it. Thanks.