'67 L79 alternator bracket

[Joseph E.]

I was doing some more "tinkering" with my L79 and noticed that the alternator bracket was unusual in its appearance. I'm used to seeing small block alternators with a gentle arch across the bracket from the alternator mount point to the block mount point. The bracket on my car has a straight arm that runs horizontal to the ground from the block mounting point and continues towards the driver side fender(this straight arm is maybe 4 to 6 inches long). This straight arm meets up with an arched portion to which the alternator is mounted and adjusted. The straight arm and the arched portion are welded together at the point where they meet.

This bracket appears to have as much age as the rest of the engine compartment which I would call almost in Survivor condition leading me to think it is original to the car. Does any member know if this is, indeed, the correct bracket for this engine? If this bracket is incorrect, are all small block alternator brackets the same or does the '67 L79 take a specific one? If the application is specific, are there any marks or stampings I should be looking for when searching for a correct piece? This car has no A/C, PB or PS and is a May 1967 production model. All else in the engine bay looks original. Thanks, once again, for any and all input.

Joe

#45420

[Joe L.]

Re: '67 L79 alternator bracket

Joe-----

First of all, I'm going to assume from your description that what you are talking about is the alternator BRACE. The alternator BRACKET is the stamped steel part that mounts to the bottom of the alternator and attaches to the left side exhaust manifold and waterpump attaching bolt.

The brace used for your application was originally of GM #3881816. I don't recall this brace having any welded section. The GM #3881816 was almost 13" long. The adjustment slot was 4-7/64" long and the brace had an offset of only 17/64" (so, it's almost "flat" when laid on its side). It has a fairly long straight section which bends over at the top. The bend starts just before the slot begins. It is shaped somewhat like a "boomerang".

There were many different braces used for different engine/option applications. So, the ones that you are used to seeing might very well be different than yours because of this. Usually, there are no part numbers stamped on these braces. There should have been, but there usually wasn't.