The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Need help on 235 engine!

Hidy ho gang!

Got this email and I'm a nincompute with most Chevy stuff. Can anyone help here? Post any answers you know and I'll email a link to this page for this kid.

Did Chebbies have alternators in '55? Generators?

Help Mr. Wizard....help.....

From: John Garcia [[email protected]]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Need help on 235 engine!

I am in an Automotive Techonlogy class at La Porte High School. Currently I
am working on a 1955 Chevy pickup. Its a Series "A" 235 cid motor.
Currently I am workin on the brake system and the motor,but right now the
biggest problem I have encountered is trying to get the alternator back on!
I know it is simple, but since other students have worked on it in the years
past, they have gotten most of the nuts, bolts and brackets and such mixed
all up. Now I have no idea how and where the bracket for the alternator
goes. If you have a picture of the front of the motor, showing where the
alternator goes and belt routing and such it would be greatly appreciated.

Kook,
Don't think Chev went to an alternator until the mid to late 60's.
Bruce

Correct. GM went to external-regulated alternators in mid-60s. Internal regulated came out in early -mid 70s. Somebody may have done an alternator conversion on this truck, but it should have had a 12 v generator with an external electro-mechanical regulator. You can use the stock brackets with some mods for an alternator, but the pulleys don't line up right. I had to use a Langdon mount to get an alternator to work in my '54.

Also, make sure the ballast resistor is in place for the ignition points.

Im so happy they're using an old truck to teach this stuff. Rock on!

Chip

The generator mount is attached to the driver side lower front edge of the block by two bolts.The holes are just above the edge of the oil pan.

And, the top mount goes to the lower bolt on the water pump.

Hi, im the one who posted the student who originally asked the question.

Ive done some research and I do know that it is an aftermarket alternator. The teacher next door who teaches collision repair has a 42 chevy with the same motor and it has a generator. As one of yall stated, you can mount the alternator on the original generator bracket but it doesent line up with the waterpump pulley or the crankshaft.
I was thinking that maybe I can have my friend in welding custom make me a bracket or if a company makes the retro fitting bracket it would be a lot easier.
The truck, 55 chevy, is a jewel in my opinion, the body has NO rust i mean NO rust, it belongs to a coach at my school but he takes too long to get parts. How much do yall think its worth? The original seat is still inside it and its not even torn.
So what are my best options for the alternator? Should I custom make a bracket or should I just find the original generator which we have also and just stick it back on? Do you think if he sells it it would be a good buy? Thank you for your time

John

I was able to fit a GM 10si alternator on my stovebolt 216 perfectly by flipping the original bottom generator bracket end-for-end, and flipping the top bracket upside down and bending it slightly, and the pulleys line up perfectly. You can elongate the hole a bit to adjust it if it doesn't quite line up. I swapped the pulley on the alternator with the one on the generator, keeping the fans on their respective units. It's really pretty easy, but if you want to make your own bracket it's good auto shop practice. You just need a flat piece of strap iron with holes drilled in the right places.