Universal m-30/5424 alternative alternator mount

[Josephcrawl]

The alternator bracket on this engine is a POS. The upper curved tensioner is too long and bashes the cabinet on that side of engine. They are also notorious for breaking the timing gear cover. An alternative mount was made for other M series engines but not this one as far as I can tell.

What solutions have people come up with for this? I was thinking of getting a generic alternator mounting bracket and fabricating something to mount it to the exhaust manifold studs.

[Maine Sail]

Does your bracket look like this?

[Josephcrawl]

The top arm is much longer and has two holes on the engine side. I've attached a couple of images.

[tkeithlu]

No problem with fabricating your own. But first, be sure that the axle in the alternator mount has zero wobble or you'll have belt alignment problems.

Assuming from your post that you can do some welding, consider reinforcing the one you've got - cut off some at the end and make the whole thing into angle iron with a strap along one side. I'm suggesting this because cutting the curved slot is one step up in fabrication -it takes a plasma cutter or skill with a torch.

Good luck with it.

[Bill Seal]

Shorten the solid end and re-drill the mounting bolt hole.

[Josephcrawl]

When the belt is tight it's very close to the end of the upper bracket. So not sure I have room to shorten. Maybe I should get a shorter belt.

[tkeithlu]

Sure. Take your belt to your local auto parts store and ask for one that's shorter. In theory a one inch shorter belt will move the alternator 1/2 inch inward, but it actually may move it farther because your existing belt has stretched.