450ZX progress

After 31 years in Mechanical Engineering, I learnt a trick or 2

 

Alternator & air con pump

I've worked out a way to install the alternator and a air con pump, but it does mean the alternator will run in the opposite direction




I pulled the alternator apart and had a good look inside.
Electricially it will work running in either direction. The brushes are at a slight angle but I don,t think it should cause any problems.

Mechanically the nut retaining the pulley is the wrong hand a will come undone. This shouldn't be to hard to fix, some Loctite or may be a locking device on the nut.

There is a fan blade either side of the rotor, both identical so they should work in both directions. Only difference is that the air flow through the alternator will change direction, which should not be a problem

Can anyone see any problems with this see up?
And please no smart ass comments about my wood bracket

 

its going to vibrate quite a bit hanging out that far id imagine, possibly enough to through the belt.....ignoring the wooden bracket, do you intend on further bracketing or a tensioner arm?

 

That's not a stock air con pump is it? Chris had a similar idea for running a supercharger backwards like your alt... I think it's a great idea as long as you use a couple of solid brackets.

 

Have you got your underbody splash guards? What will water do to it?

 

That is how the alternator is mounted on a Jaguar E type v12, they ran out of space and mounted it the other way, its a very substantial 5/16 steel brakcet they use. ive got pics on another camera if u want ill post them

 

You may wear the brushes quicker but otherwise it will function the same.

 

Picuters would be very useful

Thanks

 

Working on a strong aluminium bracket so I don't have any vibration problems> Plus there will be an ajustable backet on top for tensioning

 

Great build man.
Been a while since I've seen a quality build like that.
You could eat your dinner off those ports very clean.
Keep up the great work.
You WA guy sure know how to do it

 

Alternator and air con pump installed

 

nice clean install ! ;D

 

i think gm have a reverse facing alt you might be able to use the fan off it so your not blowing hot air from your motor into the alt. just a thought

 

will you fit a radiator in there ? i wouldnt think that you would pass the pits with a reversed alternator. no engineer is going to sign off on that ... why bother with AC if your going for a full custom v8 install.. ditch the AC mount your alternator there

 

If it functions safely why not?

 

Agreed. I've seen much worse passed.

 

The radiator does fit

I tried that before I fabricated the mounting bracket.

I don't see any major engineering or safety issues with running the alternator backwards.

The worst that could happen is that the pulley locknut could come off, but I used a high strength stud lock adhesive (Loctite) so it's unlikely to happen.

The pulley its self can't fall off, as there is insufficient clearance between the alternator & engine and the mounting bracket is strong enough to tow the Queen Mary II around.

 

Consulting Engineer

I finally organized a consulting engineer to come round today and inspect the mods I'm doing.

All looked good.

He did not see any major problems with the modifications, including the manual steering and the alternator running backwards.

Next to do is:-
1. Mount and connect up the steering rack.
2. Fabricate the extractors
3. Pull out the engine/gearbox and install the clutch and slave cylinder piping

Just have to pull my finger out and get it finished

 

Because its such a neat and tidy install you will find it much easer with the engineers.

 

Cold castable urathane

If your going to do it, then do it right 1st time

I'm looking casting my own rubber mounting bushes for the steering rack from cold castable urathane. As any one had any expriance using casable urathane for bushes?