battery only temporarily?

[JD1964]

I'm indecisive about the clearance for belt driven accessories on the swap project. I'm trying to devise a low mount alt and ps pump. It's gonna be close but I wont know for sure until I get the engine actually in the car. At that point I would rather not clog my garage space with the project car while I figure out accessories final locations.

Since the LT1 water pump runs off the cam, will I be ok to run the engine initially on battery power only? Just enough to move it in and out of the garage while I sort things out. Obviously the PS pump wont be on either but I'll make sure to eat me Wheaties.

[steveo]

yep an lt1 is fine with no belt until the battery dies

[JD1964]

yep an lt1 is fine with no belt until the battery dies

Cool. Will I get a trouble code with no belt which on the ‘94 makes the fans run on high continually?

[steveo]

don't see why you would, maybe low alternator voltage, but that wont run the fans from what i remember (not all dtcs turn the fans on)

[beasleyrb]

Here is how I did a quick low mount alternator. There are a few low mount brackets available but I came up with this because my alternator mounting ear is in the wrong spot for the one I liked. Anyway, I swing it on the front of engine and used a short adjusting rod to tighten the belt up. I don't have frame rail or room issues on the run stand of course. There are alternators with smaller cases and mounting ears in different places that would allow for a closer or more narrow fit. I turned some aluminum mounting posts with a larger diameter to hopefully make the mounting more rigid. Also cut and welded an old alternator mounting rod to support the top end. This way the alternator swings and doesn't twist when the belt is tightened. Hope this helps. PS: have no idea on mounting an AC Compressor. Haven't considered that yet but where there is a will.... and a lathe and a mill and a welder, etc., there is a way.

Edit. Sorry all the pictures are turned 90 degrees

[JD1964]

I like that turn buckle idea. Might consider that at some point if I cant figure anything else. Right now it looks like I can use a small diameter CS130 alt and mount it on the AC compressor portion of the stock bracket. I'll make an upper mounting tab to lock the alt in solid and utilize the stock tensioner in the stock location. By modifying the factory Z28 bracket and cutting and trimming it, I may be able to squeeze the alt in down low on the passenger side.

For the ps pump, I'm mocking up a setup where I put as single v belt pulley on the serpentine balancer to run the stock Malibu PS pump on the drivers side. Longer damper bolts with proper spacers and one of the PS pump mounting ears modified and it looks like I might be in business. The drivers side ignition coil mount will be moved to the passenger side like on the Corvettes.

So, alt by serpentine via tensioner on passenger side and PS pump via v belt on drivers side. The Malibu ps pump bracket has built in slides for belt adjustment.

I'll post some pics sooner or later