Alright so in trying to install new aluminum valve covers for my pro magnums, of course I'm running into clearance issues. However unlike most of the other aftermarket valvecovers for the Lt1, these don't have any type of indenting for the alternator. I should of looked at them more carefully before buying them but at the time, my whole engine was out of the car and I just needed some to clear the Pro Magnum's and wasn't thinking of the alternator. Well, today when I went to install my accesory bracket, of course I ran into this problem. So the first thing I did was run to CZ28.com and did a quick search. Well after messing around with the mock-up I came to the quick realization that there's now way I can just grind down on the alternator enough since these don't have any sort of indentation at the end for the alternator. So I came up with this idea and wanted to run it by you guys real quick to get some feedback and any different ideas.

What I came up with is use longer bolts and spacers behind the bracket to space it out away from the block enough to clear my valve covers.

And to align the belt back up, I was thinking of 2 different possibilities.

First, I could pull the crank hub off and use the same thickness of spacers to make the balancer spaced out enough to align back up

or I could pull the harmonic balancer and space that out enough from the crank hub itself to align everything back up.

Which do you think would work better?

Obvisously, I "could" just buy the alternator relocation brackets and not worry about it but if I can get by going this cheaper route (and faster since I won't have to wait for the pars to come in), I would like to do that.

Thanks.

 

I would space the crank pulley/harmonic balancer. I'd leave the hub alone.

edit: I don't know how much shimming would be required, but I sure wouldn't go overboard with it (ie: 1" of shimming ).

Ryan

 

It's right around a quarter of an inch of spacing. Seems like a lot to me (atleast 3 washers), but as of now my valve covers don't have any indents on the ends. Why do you suggest the second option instead of the first?

I think it would be better to use less wieght to keep it more in-balance.

 

How tall are these VC anyway? I have the Moroso units and they required me to grind a bit off the alt. casing, but not much.

 

now way you can "modify" those valve covers...maybe with a rubber mallet?

 

By just eyeballing them next to each on a flat surface, right under half an inch taller than the stockers.

 

I say just scrap the whole project because its.

A: Never going to run
B: Something is going to break 5 miles down the road.
C: If none of the above happens, I will steal a bunch of crap from your car so u cant beat me.

 

You can't move one pulley withou moving ALL. You are forgetting the power steering, a/c, tensioner. If they are not all aligned, you will be constantly throwing/shredding belts. IMO, you need to come up with a plan that does not involve moving the accessories.

 

do you mean space the entire assembly bracket? and then the balancer? might work..

 

I have a 94' Z28 and I just rebuilt the motor and i ran into the same problem. I actually milled the valve cover slightly and also ground the rear of the altanator slightly. It fits good now.

 

i put the edelbrock valve covers on mine. They are thick aluminum and would not fit. I took the alt apart and cut the case enough to clear the valve covers. Been working like that with no problems for 3 years. No you can't use a hammer or rubber mallat to bend or dent this kind of aluminum. It is heat treated and will crack or break before bending. Not a good idea to space the pulleys. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen. I had a buddy that put tall valve covers on his and he had a notch cut out of it and welded back together. Worked perfect.

 

Does anyone have the link to the alternator modification? I had it a while back but didn't save it.

 

Found the thread:


http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...or+valve+cover

 

Yes I meant space the entire bracket out. And then space out the pulley or the entire hub assembly.. There's definatly not going to be enough room if I try to use these and just notch the alternator "ear" thing that everyone else cuts off.

 

Nope, I suspect they would crack with as much as they need to be clearance and they are brand-new so if I end up not getting them to work, I will probally be able to return them and just go ahead and buy the Lt4's...