Alt mounting? inexperienced 5.0 owner

Baldy

New Member
Nov 19, 2003
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I'm swapping a 5.0 into a Mazda, and I no prior experience with this engine, so I'm learning as I go.

My current issue (among many) is mounting the alternator. I have an alt, and there's a big ol' stud sticking out from the engine block, but when I slide the alt on it doesn't line up with the other pulleys.

Is there some kind of spacer? Does anyone have a pic of how an alternator mounts to an '85 5.0? (I'm told it's not a mustang motor, probably from an LTD)
 
Actually, if the engine did in fact come from a Crown Vic or Grand Marquis, the alternator does go on the driver side. Theres an aluminum bracket that uses the studs on the top of your water pump and goes down the driver side. There's a spot in it that has i think 3 holes in it right on top of each other and the bottom of the alt goes in between the two ears. Then use like a 6 inch, 3/8" bolt to go through those ears (with the alt in between so it can pivot) and run that bolt into the bottom hole in the front of the driver side head. (under the freeze plug) The top uses a steel bracket that uses 2 of the same water pump studs (be careful and make sure to line them up the right way or it'll misalign your belt.) There's a 1/2" rod that goes from that bracket to the front intake bolt on the driver side to support the alt. (uses a 9/16 headed bolt) and then theres another 9/16" headed bolt that holds the alt to that bracket. (this doubles as your tensioner) hope that helps you out
 
Depending on what type of Mazda you are trying to squeeze this thing into, you might want to look at other types of accessorie setups. Depending on the vehicle the engine came out of, you'll have different mounting setups. Going with a custom March kit might get you into a small overall package which could help with fitting it into the Mazda.
 
I found the stock alt/tensioner bracket out of a Cougar at the local pick n pull. It looks like exactly what I need, and bolts to the passenger side. When I was looking at different junk cars, I saw them with the alt on either side, for the same 5.0 block. The driver side alt bracket in some of the cars was very large, had the ps pump bolted to it as well. I would have had quite an extension of metal on the bracket that I wouldn't be using (manual rack), and I found the passenger side mounting bracket, so I went with that.

When I mount the a/c compressor, I'll place it on the drivers side.