New Alternator Mount Bracket. Replacing Log Manifolds

[Kola16]

Hello all! I originally started with a Mercruiser 228 with FWC, but am upgrading to a built 383 stroker. I am upgrading my exhaust manifolds to center rise manifolds. I have the old log-style manifolds that has the alternator bracket mounted to the port side manifold. Is there a bracket I can buy that can mount the alternator in another low place? I see there are brackets that mount the alternator using the lower threads on the port side of the engine, but I do not know how well those will work since that is where the power steering pump bracket is mounted. I would think if I used the same holes as the power steering pump bracket for the alternator bracket also, the alternator pulley wheel would not align properly with the water pump pulley. Unless there is a bracket I am unaware of.

I have also seen brackets that mount the alternator on the port side head, but that is where the heat exchanger is mounted (not pictured).

I guess I am asking what is the typical solution for this? I know it has been done before from forums I have seen, but all the links to the solution are expired. Should I just move my heat exchanger and mount the alternator on the head? Move my power steering pump somewhere? I prefer just having 2 belts versus 3.

 

[Scott Danforth]

just fabricate a new alternator bracket coming off the head, leaving the alternator where it is.

 

[Kola16]

Do you have an example? That would be ideal, but the long mounting bolt is what has me questioning how I would do it, and if I could make one strong enough to support the weight of the alternator. I could buy this easy part and bolt something to it, but examples would be nice before I just started welding some ugly pieces of metal together.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... The Merc brackets from a late 80s, early 90s will do what you want,.....
They need to be for a SBC, or 4.3l though,....

 

[Kola16]

Bondo I looked up a parts diagram for a 5.7L 88-95 Merc and it gave me the part number 87115a1 which looks like the below picture:


That looks like it will work great, and I think I will be able to leave the power steering pump where it is in my boat. And I do not have to weld some monstrosity that I would probably produce haha. Thank you!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Something like this.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Small-Block-Chevy-Low-Mount-Alternator-Bracket-Plain,3447.html

Or this

JEGS 50542: Low Mount Alternator Bracket For Small Block Chevy - JEGS

Low Mount Alternator Bracket

www.jegs.com

Or this. https://www.amazon.com/Driver-Alternator-Steering-Bracket-551742/dp/B07G3HZM3X

 

[Kola16]

The mounts that use the bottom holes would not work since the power steering pump mount bracket would kick those alternator brackets out to far that the pulley for the alternator would not align. If I mounted those brackets under the power steering pump bracket, that would kick the power steering pulley to far. That other one on the head may have worked, but it may not have worked with the heat exchanger mounting location. I ordered the bracket Bondo led me to. I'll see how it works.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I made all my brackets including the Heat Exchanger mount.

 

[Bondo]

I made all my brackets including the Heat Exchanger mount.

Ayuh,..... Some folks aren't as handy, as you, 'n I,.........

 

[Kola16]

I made all my brackets including the Heat Exchanger mount.

I did not feel like making something up. I am burnt from building this engine and just want to go fishing at this point haha.

I installed the 87115A1 bracket and it fits PERFECTLY! It puts the alternator in the exact same spot as it was on the log manifolds, and I do not even need a different belt size. I do need to grind away a little of my heat exchanger mounts, but that is fine. Thank you both for the suggestions!