Engine: Head Bolt Question

[wdills]

I am thinking about making a bracket for an alternator and I would like to mount it with the 2 head bolts at the front of the head, below the valve cover as shown in the photo.



Is their any reason why I shouldn't use the head bolts to anchor a bracket?

What is the grade of the head bolts on a 289? I want to buy a couple bolts that are a little longer to make up for the thickness of the bracket so I can maintain full thread engagement.

Thanks
Wayne

[PackardV8]

For longer head bolts, take a look under the rocker cover.

Is their any reason why I shouldn't use the head bolts to anchor a bracket?

Only that the OEM engineers seldom do that. They always seem to prefer to hang the alternator off the front of the head or the water pump manifold.

Why not use the Studebaker bracket off the right exhaust manifold?

jack vines

[studegary]

A bracket that utilizes bolts on the front of the engine, rather than perpendicular to the front, is much stronger and more stable for the forces that will be applied. The force is attempting to sheer the bolts rather than pull them out. Also, the bracket will be more susceptible to bending/breaking the way that you are suggesting. I don't pull head bolts unless I am taking a head off.

[1954khardtop]

The saginaw power steering cars used those bolts to mount the pump.
They used a special bolt with a stud protruding above the head. I made studs to mount my pump, as the special bolts are hard to find.
I used grade 8 bolts to make the studs, they were very hard to thread. I ground a gradual taper, or lead, used my lathe, but turned it by hand so I could feel what was going on. I chipped a tooth off my threading die doing it. The first pic. is a sample bolt loaned to me for measuring, the second is my home made studs.

[wdills]

I am using the standard generator bracket to mount the Saden AC compressor. I didn't want the compressor up on top of the engine, mainly because I didn't want AC lines crossing the valve cover.

I thought about putting the alternator on top, but it was going to require me to modify the fan shroud to keep it out of alternator pulley.

So, that big open space on the left side of the engine looked like a good spot to put the alternator.

Thanks
Wayne

[1954khardtop]

That's exactly where the power steering pump goes, if you have manual steering why not use that space?

[jlmccuan]

Take a look at an R2 Avanti supercharger mount. The head bolts from the Avanti have a stud for the bracket, just mirror the Avanti setup from the right to the left for your application.

[whacker]

Try to go with the threaded stud bolts, if you can find them or make them. When you do take the head bolts out to put these new ones in, re-torque the entire head. It should work OK.

[wdills]

I don't have my service manual handy. Can someone tell me the head bolt torque on a 289? I seem to remember about 55 or 60 ft lbs.

Thanks
Wayne

[Chicken Hawk]

55 to 65 with 30 weight oil.

Ted

I don't have my service manual handy. Can someone tell me the head bolt torque on a 289? I seem to remember about 55 or 60 ft lbs.

Thanks
Wayne