Have any of you tried the smaller GM alternator to gain clearance for 'standard' valve covers?
Here's an Fbody, an Impalla SS and a Caprice Alternator. I cut and pasted these images from Autozones site. It 'looks' like the Caprice version is smaller. I just don't know if it's small(er) enough to clear the passenger side valve cover on the LT1 Fbodys.

 

What are the amp ratings? The LT1 uses a 140-amp alternator.

 

It's only a 105amp, but I don't have a big stereo or other things that could overwhelm the system. At least, I can't think of anything that would cause 105 to be inadequate. I'd have to see what the draw is when

• driving
• lights on
• wipers on
• electric water pump
• AC/Heater blower fan on high

 

Here is an easier solution: http://www.lt1engine.com/tech/how-to...-valve-covers/, or just relocate it.

 

Then you have to ask yourself, why did GM waste money by providing a 140-amp alternator?

 

This is a good point! I just hate how ugly that thing is!

 

I decided to punt on this one. Too much trouble. I now have a box of brand new 7/16" stud 1.7 Scorpion aluminum rockers, new in the box that will stay that way. I just put my CC 1.6 ProMags back on. The motor will have the Canton valve cover on the passenger side and the Jegs Cast Aluminum on the drivers side. I will say, getting the gasket sealed on the Canton is a Pain in the ***. As per Cantons instructions, you have to glue the gasket to the valve cover. Well, there's no continuous retention rail to keep the gasket in place. The FelPro gasket kept trying to pull inwards. I ended up using clothes pins and vise grip pliers(on wood shims) to keep the gasket in place while the silicone sealant cured. If you're wondering why i have the Jegs VC on the drivers side, the Cantons are so wide, it hits my turbo hotside. The stock VC only cleared the hotside by 3/8" or so. The taller and wider Cantons rest right on the hotside. The link above that attempts to show how to clearance the Alternator to clear 'tall' valve covers are depicting shorter valve covers than I have. There's no way I could butcher my alternator enough to clear these particular VC and the alternator still function.

 

I use that smaller alt on my LT1 and it clears the common cast aluminum perimeter bolt valve covers (easier to use w shaft rockers). Just made a little bracket and it works fine. You can get one wound to about whatever amp rating you want.