36FordIntakeI am restoring a 36 Ford woodie with a 21 stud 37 flathead and wanted to put a modern GM alternator on it. I ordered an aftermarket bracket and replacement pulley that allows attaching a fan and tried to put it on. Didn't fit. Turns out the 36 aluminum intake manifold has a high mounted generator(alternator) stud. It is located 3 1/2 inches from the bottom of the manifold. I posted on Fordbarn about my problem and got the usual blather about "use the generator" or buy a $450 alternator disguised as a generator. Cripes, I just bought a rebuilt GM alternator for $45!
Here is an attempt to show the problem. The aftermarket bracket on the right has a centerline
1 1/2 inches above the generator pictured on the left. Using the bracket made the fan
hit the radiator even with a half inche shim under the radiator mount.
Another Fordbarner sent me this picture, cast iron intake on the left and early
intake on the right(like the one that came on my 37 flathead):
I pulled out my trusty Ford Green book and sure enough, it lists a cast iron intake manifold
59T 6520 fitting 33-48 flatheads as replacing the 48 6520 aluminum intake for 36-37.
So the solution to my problem is to install a later model intake and use my $45 alternator after all. Happy ending!
The GM alternator is painted black so it won't stick out like a sour thumb. Good enough for me. This solution will
also come out cheaper than the other two alternatives:
1) sending my generator off and waiting 6 weeks to have it turned into an alternator for $450
2) using the generator and buying a voltage regulator for $90 to eliminate the 3rd brush manual adjustment for charging amps.
Here is my installation:
There are always complications with any customizing work and sure enough
it was hard to find the right sized belt. The Ford script one that came on my car
was too long so I had to experiment with new Gates belts until I found one that fit on the third try.
Gates number/length/ top width
20544 /54.3/ 0.625
22545 /54.5/ 0.6875/too short
22553 /55.3/ 0.6875/just right!
22570 /57.0/ 0.6875/too long
22578 /57.7/ 0.6875
Here is an attempt to show the problem. The aftermarket bracket on the right has a centerline
1 1/2 inches above the generator pictured on the left. Using the bracket made the fan
hit the radiator even with a half inche shim under the radiator mount.
Another Fordbarner sent me this picture, cast iron intake on the left and early
intake on the right(like the one that came on my 37 flathead):
I pulled out my trusty Ford Green book and sure enough, it lists a cast iron intake manifold
59T 6520 fitting 33-48 flatheads as replacing the 48 6520 aluminum intake for 36-37.
So the solution to my problem is to install a later model intake and use my $45 alternator after all. Happy ending!
The GM alternator is painted black so it won't stick out like a sour thumb. Good enough for me. This solution will
also come out cheaper than the other two alternatives:
1) sending my generator off and waiting 6 weeks to have it turned into an alternator for $450
2) using the generator and buying a voltage regulator for $90 to eliminate the 3rd brush manual adjustment for charging amps.
Here is my installation:
There are always complications with any customizing work and sure enough
it was hard to find the right sized belt. The Ford script one that came on my car
was too long so I had to experiment with new Gates belts until I found one that fit on the third try.
Gates number/length/ top width
20544 /54.3/ 0.625
22545 /54.5/ 0.6875/too short
22553 /55.3/ 0.6875/just right!
22570 /57.0/ 0.6875/too long
22578 /57.7/ 0.6875
