Hey everyone. This is my first post so please forgive me if I trip. I've got a 1968 Cutlass S. I've pulled out the stock 350 and put in a custom 455 with tall valve covers and no ac. Someone else is doing the work so I'll describe the problem as best I understand it. Apparently the tall valve covers keep the alternator bracket from clearing so I've been told I need to move the alternator to the passenger side. Does this sound right? If so, how much should I expect to pay for these parts? I've been quoted $800 for a kit containing new brackets and pulleys but I'm not convinced I need everything in that kit. Am I wrong? I still have everything from the 350 but only the long block for the 455 (no brackets or pulleys). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome. The driver side alternator mount is for A/C only, since the compressor goes on the passenger side. The passenger side mount is for non-A/C only. The problem is that neither stock bracket is designed to clear tall aftermarket valve covers.

 

Joe, I've never used these and think they're 1980's vintage. Would this style alternator bracket work with the tall valve covers? If so, do you know what years/application used them?

 

These are the late-70s and 1980s vintage brackets for A/C cars. Yes, they will definitely give you a better chance of clearing, but that strut that goes over the valve cover is mandatory due to the reduced stiffness of aluminum vs. steel. If necessary, it isn't that hard to bend up a custom strut, however. Of course, you need the bottom bracket and since that bottom bracket is only designed for an SBO, you'll need a 1" tall spacer where it bolts to the PS pump bracket. There must be a ton of these from the 307 motors. Of course, the other problem is that these were only used with the 6" water pump and you'll need the 307 pulleys to get things to line up.

 

OK, thank you for the information Joe.

 

Wow. You guys really know your stuff.

I'm not certain that I won't re-add the AC in the future so I'd rather not move the alternator if it's going to keep me from having an AC. Texas gets real hot in the summer.

So it looks like I'll need at least one of those fancy brackets that 2blu442 has. Will I necessarily need new pulleys?

I'm just looking for any solution that gets me out cheaper than $800. If anyone has what I need, please feel free to send me a PM.

 

I've got the brackets available, but it sounds like you'll also need the pulleys. What part of the country are you located in? If your on the west coast I can sell you these brackets and you can get the pulleys from another member here. If your closer to the East coast you might save shipping costs buying bracket and pulleys from the same person. I'd encourage you to create a parts wanted thread asking for the pulleys and maybe the alternator bracket too, from a 307 engine. Your welcome to link to this thread for a reference picture to the brackets you need. John

 

Thanks for the tip blue. I've done just that. I'll post the link here for search-ability.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ml#post1097473