8BA distributor on 59A engine

[Ol' Ron]

I've discussed this several times and promesed to send pictures of how it's done. These photos are of an 8ba block converted to early style engine for installation in a 32 coupe. To use early short pumps on an 8BA block you must use pumps that have sealed bearings, The first picture shows the generator spacer. The others show the distributor belt clearance.

[AnthonyG]

Ol' Ron, on that set-up where will you put the fan?

[Ol' Ron]

Well I'll have to think about that. Could just uz the 59 fan or maybe an electric. anyway It ran for 130,000 miles. I think solving these kind of problems is the fun part of this hoby.

[AnthonyG]

Hey again Ol' Ron, absolutely, all fun ( sometimes ) LOL. I have a similar set up (kind-of). I wanted the old school look like the 59A my '35 had originally but wanted the flexibility to do stuff that the 8BA allows. Went with the 8BA but put the 59A front of motor config. to get the look. Works great except for the fan / alternator setup due to the crab dist I mounted the fan /alternator combo with the typical aftermarket aluminum bracket. This caused the fan and alternator to be too high and not rigid enough ( caused vibration ) so want to change to the stock more rigid steel 59A mount ( keeps setup closer to manifold also). But I see a note on the part on line from C&G that if using with the 8BA it needs a 1/2" machined off the mounting hole face that mounts to the manifold to make the pulleys line up yours looks fine, did you machine it? See quote from C7G -

B-10313-A
V-8 Alternator Bracket Plain Steel
These fit GM style alternators. For 49 Pass/Mercury, and 1948-52 PU, the alternator and the spacer must be ground 1/2" to set the alternator back to line up with the water pump and crank shaft pulleys.
33-41 Passenger
33-41 Pickup

?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

..........if using with the 8BA it needs a 1/2" machined off the mounting hole face that mounts to the manifold to make the pulleys line up yours looks fine, did you machine it? See quote from C7G -?

Don't think Ol' Ron's picture is an 8BA-type manifold. DD

[Ol' Ron]

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That waz along time ago, and we used what we had. I also made a modification to the front cover that allowed the distributor to be vertical to make room for AC,and PS. But this never happened, but the dist worked great. Ny present project uses a serpentine belt system to run the Alt and pS, but it also uses the stock fan. I'll take a pic and post it. All these modes take some thought and trial and error putzing. Some times they work and sometimes they don't. But we still don't drive around in model T's or fly in bi-planes either. Must "Plan ahead"

[AnthonyG]

Was hoping I guess. Afraid if I machine the .50" off 59A bracket it will weaken it to the point I'll have the same rigidity issues. It will shorten the moment arm up a bit though. Just hate to spend the $60 then machine the part and if it doesn't work it's scrap.

[tubman]

Tony, just a thought. Would it be possible to add some reinforcement to the ther side of the bracket?

[AnthonyG]

Thx Tubman, I've been looking at trying that. Looks to be a bit of a PIA as you need to make some type of slotted bracket (for belt adjustment ) for the rear of the alternator bolted to the manifold to adjust along with the front bracket tension adjustment, also starts looking a little busy. If I have to fabricate that I might as well fabricate the front bracket in steel. So I think I'll buy the C&G 59A bracket and try it, if indeed it needs the .500 taken off the mounting face for pulley alignment I'll get some dimensions off of it and fabricate a similar one that does line up with my pulleys then I'll return it or sell on e-bay.

[Mike B]

Anthony, I think they are saying

Cut 1/2 inch off the spacer
Cut 1/2 inch off the Alternator-if you look at the GM Alt, one mounting side is about 2 inches thick.

I don't think they are saying machine the bracket.

[AnthonyG]

Mike B, thx for translating, obviously I miss-read the add directions.

[Mike B]

You're welcome.

PS

If you go that route, I'd carry a known good backup Alt machined one as a spare

[AnthonyG]

Good idea, thx again

[36tbird]

Here's my set up. I wanted to alternator mounted as low as possible and non-adjustable, so I made up idler pulleys. I machined a longer shaft on the distributor for more clearance above the belt. My fan is not pictured, but it mounts on the alternator '36 style. Not on the street yet but everything turns OK and seems to be fine.

[Ol' Ron]

36,
Now that's thinking, lov it. Good luck Tried to post the pics of my serpentine bel system, but it doesn't work. Probably need a grand kid.

[AnthonyG]

I like that 36tbird, can you give us another pic or 2 showing how and where the idlers are mounted. From this pic looks like right on the bracket? Also where did you get the idler or did you fab them ?

[40cpe]

36tbird, what water pumps are on that engine?

[36tbird]

40cpe, Speedway 59A style. As I said, I made up a special Chevy distributor with a longer shaft for more clearance with the belt under the dist. housing. That might have been overkill depending on how low your alternator sits or how big a pulley is on it. I have only about 1/8" clearance between the plane of the belt and shaft housing. That can be massaged a bit with an 1/8" or so spacer between the manifold and alternator mount.

[Rusty]

What did you do with the down draft tube when converting ?

[Ol' Ron]

I don't think this intake had one. You could run A PCV system.