I have a 1971 442-455- with the a/c removed-- My alternator is on the left side with a/c. I have read that without a/c its on the right. Is that correct? I am not even close to being the original owner, and the compressor and all hosing have been removed but the a/c casing is still there with some sort of delete panel installed. I would like to clean up my engine bay, should I buy a complete a/c delete case and relocate my alt?

 

That is a good option, yes.
I like to see the belt loads balanced as much as possible, and placing the alternator on the RH side if there is no AC is the right thing to do.


Having said that, it seems may folks manage to leave the alternator on the LH side and it works just fine. It just looks funny.

 

Even with the belt loads "balanced", the resultant side load on the water pump bearings is still significant. It's just down towards the crank instead of towards the side of the car. The bearings are symmetric and don't care about the direction. Draw the force diagram. I'll point out that non-A/C, manual steering cars had a similar side load with a single belt.

To the OP, for the 1968-77 cars, without A/C the alternator was on the passenger side, with A/C it was on the driver's side. The reality is that other than looking "wrong", it doesn't matter.

 

Thanks guys- greatly appreciated