Thread: Anyone run their alternator off of the driveshaft??? {Hemi in my '32 project}..

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Hello Everyone! Haven't been here in awhile & I hope everyone is doing well! .... I'm plugging away working on getting a blown 392 hemi in my '32 Ford. I've got the mock up engine & trans in the car & moved back 2 1/4". Firewall & flooring cut out & moved back. Transmission mount moved back 2 1/4". The crossmember that hit is also moved back. I'm in the process of doing the motor mounts. I was planning on putting the real motor in Monday even though I still have to re-route the steering. But I don't think it'll be that hard to do around the 'real thing'. I just got the alternator bracket from Hot Heads & I noticed that the alternator is going to either be really close to the the steering arm that runs from the steering box to the passenger side or it's going to hit it. I will call Hot Heads on Monday & see what they did in their '32 Hemi. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with running an alternator off of the driveshaft??? I don't want to have to raise the motor!!! When I did the measuring to see how far I needed to move the motor back I didn't even think of the alternator..... THANKS a bunch, Bill

Wow....I would think you'd need to overdrive the alternator to make it work and lot of bettery to make up for times when the car was not moving fast enough to keep it charged...I guess it all depends on what you are doing with the car and how much electrical stuff you have..

I seem to recall a picture that was posted here awhile back of someone doing that, but i cant remember the thread.

I've ran the alternator off the rear end on a couple different cars.... As long as you have a "substantial" battery to cover any stop and go type driving where it will not be doing a lot of charging it works quite well... I also build in a pair of battery charger external connections that are easy to access on track days to get the battery at full charge between rounds. I usually use the small alternators, think the last one I used was a Nippendenso made for a Toyota or Nissan---- about 90 amps output and uses an internal voltage regulator..... They work fine, but do of course have their limitations.....

Thanks Daffy, Hotroddaddy & Dave, Dave you brought something to mind. And that's a small alternator. The bracket I got from Hot Heads is made to hold a GM alternator but maybe I could modify the bracket to hold a smaller alternator? I will check on this! And the instructions for the bracket said that it would work on the passenger side but using in on the drivers side was better. Don't know why this would make a difference but I'll check tomorrow. I think the steering box is in the way of putting the alternator on the drivers side. Ah ha, maybe this is why most folks put a small block in their '32's??? Thanks again, Bill

From HAMB
Another Post
Another one...joe

Originally Posted by TooMany2count

From HAMB
Another Post
Another one...joe

Solid info from a board with more than 15 posts per day....haha...this place has ground to a snails pace.

I keep throwing this up... maybe someone will give it a try before I can get to it...

what about a motorcycle alternator mounted on the harmonic balancer?

.....thanks Joe, yeah good post. Good idea to put an extra belt on in case you blow one! Forgot about having to take the driveshaft off to re-place a belt! But I see it'd be a much better idea to try to get the alternator on the engine. I'm going to go do some more measuring....

Firebird, the Hamb post mentioned a motorcycle alternator.....

thanks again, Bill

check out the MSD alternator

If yer gonna run a chevy water pump on the Hemi, a guy in San Diego, Calif builds an alternator/ water pump combo.
Really trick.

.....Thank You Jerry & Da34guy... Jerry, I just went to the MSD web site, yes they are really small! This is an option, for sure.
Da34guy, do you have any contact info for this guy? I saw a set up in a Circle Track Catalog for a set-up like this but it was for a small block Chev water pump. Oh, yes I do have a Big Block Chev water pump on it {Victor Jr.}.... thanks again Bill

....I just talked to Hot Heads & their upper alternator mounting bracket will work with a blower. For some unknown reason I just figured that the blower was in the way of a upper mount. So even though I'd prefer the alternator hidden down below, if it doesn't work I'll just trade it for the upper mount!!! Thanks everyone! Bill

Bill-
The outfit is called RaceMate in San diego
www.racemate.com
Have used then for a few years, great stuff.
A little pricy but, don't have to fab bracket,buy a pump,buy an alternator, pulleys, or belts.
All comes in a package.
On my applicatations only cost me about an xtra $100 to make guys look @ the engine and scratch their head, walk away mumbling, "where the hell was the alternator on that 32?"

....Da34guy, I called 'em & the lady who answered the phone said that they didn't make one for a 392 Hemi..... oh well..... Bill