Driver Side Alternator?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

staticattic

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2020
Posts
13
Reaction score
21
Location
Tampa, FL
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
454
The alternator bolt in my truck sheared off recently. It did not have the bottom bracket and I guess the vibrations finally sheared it off. The bolt broke off below the surface of the block. A buddy of mine has an EZ Out kit and came over to help drill it out. Long story short, the drilling penetrated a coolant channel. So now, not only do I not have an alternator, I am also leaking coolant. What can I do to fix this? I have heard about relocating the alternator to the driver side. Is that a good option? Can someone please post pics? I did a search here for “Driver side alternator” and got no hits. I refuse to believe this one little issue has killed my entire engine. For what it is worth, I have the long water pump. At a minimum, is there a way I can rig it so I can still drive???

You must be registered for see images attach
 

SDJunkMan

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2017
Posts
1,809
Reaction score
2,656
Location
Black Hills of South Dakota
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
A CUCV (military squarebody) had dual alternators, one on each side, but those were 6.2 diesels, so I don't know if the brackets could be made to work. I would include a pic, but am at work right now.
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,751
Reaction score
18,198
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350 w/203
First off, were you able to remove the broken bolt?

If so, I'd drain the coolant,
flush the bolt hole with 91% alcohol
wait for it to dry
Use JB Weld at the BACK of the hole (you shouldn't need a lot)
give it plenty of time to set up
get a heli-coil kit
repair the bolt hole
get the right bracket
get a new bolt that will NOT shove itself into the JB Weld
Install the new bolt and bracket WRAPPING the bolt with at least 2 turns of Teflon tape.

Cross your fingers.

Let us know how you come out of this no matter what you try. Best of luck!
You must be registered for see images attach
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,693
Reaction score
6,869
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Uh,,,that is some serious problemas you have there.

I would say... tap the hole.. plug it with a seal plug(PTFE?). brass.

Then, I would get an alternator relocation bracket which can put it up closer to the hood, meant for those pristine chromed engines with little accessories, i think.

But, to put it on the other side, WITH your ps pump, I think you might need a bracket that allows the use of a ac compressor bracket setup. DO you have a PS pump with 2 grooves for belts and the bracket on the adjuster and on the valve cover(mounts to intake)for a compressor? You might need to fab it.
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,948
Reaction score
25,339
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Mine is driver side mounted. Short pump on mine tho. Mount from Summit racing.
You must be registered for see images attach
Curious question, how big is yur blower?
 

staticattic

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2020
Posts
13
Reaction score
21
Location
Tampa, FL
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
454
First off, were you able to remove the broken bolt?

If so, I'd drain the coolant,
flush the bolt hole with 91% alcohol
wait for it to dry
Use JB Weld at the BACK of the hole (you shouldn't need a lot)
give it plenty of time to set up
get a heli-coil kit
repair the bolt hole
get the right bracket
get a new bolt that will NOT shove itself into the JB Weld
Install the new bolt and bracket WRAPPING the bolt with at least 2 turns of Teflon tape.

Cross your fingers.

Let us know how you come out of this no matter what you try. Best of luck!
You must be registered for see images attach

More of the story, the bolt was seized. When he used his EZ Out, it broke off inside the bolt. At that point, he decided to drill it out for a helicoil. That’s how I got to this point.

To answer your question, yes the bolt is out. For whatever reason the tap isn’t biting. It’s like the hole isn’t quite deep enough or something.
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,751
Reaction score
18,198
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350 w/203
I've had that problem before. Solved it by locking the tap into a vise and whacked it sideways with a hammer.
Broke it off square so it didn't bottom out with the tip.

Just sayin'
 

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
15,828
Reaction score
53,159
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
Mine is driver side mounted. Short pump on mine tho. Mount from Summit racing.
You must be registered for see images attach


I get jealous every time I see your motor Joe. Lol

That is Nice!
 

Nonstop

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2014
Posts
775
Reaction score
2,421
Location
Ca
First Name
Nick
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K2500
Engine Size
454
May I suggest, either repair and tap the hole to be reused (ideal) OR thoroughly clean the hole and fill it with JB Weld. Then get the lower bracket, bolt it to the water pump, then bolt the lower bracket to the alternator, but not into the head. Will at least get you going for a while.
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
3,126
Reaction score
7,257
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Many suggestions are listed. Proper fix would be best on that BB head. Removing the head for repair is also best but maybe not needed if you get a skilled welder. Drain the coolant. Plot exactly where the bolt hole should be. Fill the hole with weld. A good stick welder is needed to insure the welded fill starts at the bottom of the hole. grind it flat and drill the hole as plotted. Use a three tap set, starter, plug and bottoming tap.

If you chose to have it welded in the truck, disconnect the battery before welding.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,167
Posts
950,720
Members
36,282
Latest member
Doug Hampton
Top