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Expert
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Location: Muskego, WI | As some of you may know, I'm in the process of restoring a '56 Imperial coupe. I've already updated the brake system with front AAJ disc and master cyclinder kit and mopar B body rear axle assembly and brakes in the rear. I also want to update my charging system to us an alternator and thus a separate and more modern power steering pump. The car will also have air conditioning, so the question is does any one know where I can get a new set of accessory mounting brackets for a 354 hemi? I know Hemi Hot Heads has them, but they seem like the alt and ac compressor stand up awfully high and look kind of ugly. You also have to convert to a BB Chevy water pump and custom timing cover that might create fuel pump issues, not sure. PAW has parts listed on their website but they've been "out of stock" on those for years now. Do I have any other options? What are some other things people have done to 331, 354, and 392 hemis?
Thanks for the advice.
Jon |
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| Make your own brackets, it's not that hard. Or hack up similar brackets and adapt them to your use. One helpful trick with making your own brackets out of 1/4" plate steel is to almost cut or grind through the outer line where you need a sharp bend, bend it, test the fit, and fill the cut with a weld. Grind smooth, paint black, looks great, and if you model after Mopar originals the pieces will look authentic.
Edited by rbmain 2011-02-23 3:59 AM
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Expert
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Location: Muskego, WI | I like this guys approach, he has a '56 354 Hemi in this custom, mean looking '55 Windsor for sale on ebay down in Miami. I asked how he designed it (if it was him), hopefully he'll respond.
Edited by jboymechanic 2011-03-22 10:21 AM
 (Alternator with married power steering pump 1.JPG)
 (Alternator with married power steering pump 2.JPG)
 (Alternator with married power steering pump 3.JPG)
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 Alternator with married power steering pump 1.JPG (70KB - 302 downloads)
Alternator with married power steering pump 2.JPG (59KB - 228 downloads)
Alternator with married power steering pump 3.JPG (73KB - 196 downloads)
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Location: Muskego, WI | Another option I'm considering is using the accessories off a 1957 or 1958 392 Hemi as they don't have the married generator and power steering pump. If any one has parts for that set up lying around, get in touch with me. |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Woolwich Twp, NJ (South Jersey) | Jon, Do a search for my postings "NYer Mike". I have completed the conversions you listed except for the A/C on my '56 NYer. I created and posted a complete wiring diagram for the Alt / Electronic VR conversion and there are pictures of the alternator mount and P/S pump mounts. Mike http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=34601&posts=19&start=1
Edited by NYer Mike 2011-03-22 12:01 PM
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Location: Muskego, WI | NYer Mike,
So you used a BB Chevy water pump conversion kit from somebody like P.A.W. or Hemi Hot Heads which requires using a lower profile timing cover which, in turn, requires removing the fuel pump eccentric from the cam and running an electronic fuel pump. I also have AC, which will mount top passenger side, and will also have the Alt on the top driver side and power steering on the lower driver side. I think you mounted your Alt upper pass but have your PS pump down on the lower driver side as well. As I recall, the PS pump would be right about where the factory trans cooler/lower radiator hose would be, but that's okay since the BB chevy water pump has the hose fitting on the opposite side. Did you have your radiator modified (move lower radiator hose port to passenger side), or were you able to make it all work with a oddly bent hose? |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Atlanta GA USA | Brillman's has generic alternator brackets. Look here:
http://brillman.com/store/alternator-brackets-c-87_744.html |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Woolwich Twp, NJ (South Jersey) | jboymechanic - 2011-03-23 9:51 AM NYer Mike, So you used a BB Chevy water pump conversion kit from somebody like P.A.W. or Hemi Hot Heads which requires using a lower profile timing cover which, in turn, requires removing the fuel pump eccentric from the cam and running an electronic fuel pump. I also have AC, which will mount top passenger side, and will also have the Alt on the top driver side and power steering on the lower driver side. I think you mounted your Alt upper pass but have your PS pump down on the lower driver side as well. As I recall, the PS pump would be right about where the factory trans cooler/lower radiator hose would be, but that's okay since the BB chevy water pump has the hose fitting on the opposite side. Did you have your radiator modified (move lower radiator hose port to passenger side), or were you able to make it all work with a oddly bent hose? Yes - you are correct. I utilized the Hot Heads system. When I purchased my car the engine was in pieces and not all of the components where accounted for. The original generator had the P/S pump mounted on the back so I went with a late model BB P/S pump w/ the alternator conversion. My radiator needed to be recored so I had the nozzle moved to the right side. I also converted my transmission from the PowerFlite to a late model 727. I am using a Derale 24,000 GVW cooler. After writing this response I have realized that my setup is modified to a point that I cannot offer any help with your situation. Regards, Mike |
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Location: Muskego, WI | Mike,
Any advice is worth while, and I appreciate yours as I'm taking all of these little factors into consideration. I'm collecting information and prices on various options I have, hope to have a better idea in a couple of weeks. |
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Location: Muskego, WI | Okay, the route I'm going is to make the front of my engine identical to a 392 hemi, that means 392 water pump, cross over, crank and water pump pulleys, AC bracket, generator bracket, and power steering pump, pulley and bracket. I've got everything other than the cross over, AC bracket and crank pulley. Any way, I plan to adapt modern AC compressor and Alternator to the factory brackets and keep the original power steering pump. That way I can keep the factory timing cover, fuel pump, radiator and so on and not spend up to $1300 on parts from Hot Hemi Heads to adapt modern accessories. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | I just now read this thread . I have a 56 Chrysler with 354 Hemi. I didmn't want to use a generator and that big obnoxious PS pump. I also wanted to run the stock water pump to keep some of the original flavor. Also did not like the inlet side of the BBC water pump which gave the hose problem . I already had eliminated the tranny oil cooler(water) with an external oil cooler. So I used a later modle GM PS pump with a remote reservoir. It had to fit below the inlet water pump hose. where the original tranny cooler had been. It is a small pump that was pressure modified to match the original PS steeribg gear. And the serpentine pulley was changed to a V belt. The mounting bracket had to be fabbed. I used a 1 wire GM alternator mounted where the orig. gen was nounted, but I an going to change that to the lower passenger side. .................MO |
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Location: Muskego, WI | At this point I have almost everything I need, only lacking an original 392 Hemi AC compressor bracket (would be nice to have a starting point that would bolt to the hemi without any modification for a good starting point). So basically, my 354 will have all of the power accessories off a 392. Rebuild kits for the PS pumps are still available for about $25.00, thats good enough for me. And like you, MO, I was planning on using a true transmission cooler elsewhere any way so now I'm pretty much set. |
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Location: Florida | Just something I have found out along the way - the stock 392 A/C bracket attaches directly to the passenger side cylinder head, where there are two tapped & threaded holes. |
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Location: Muskego, WI | After doing some more thinking, I may actually want to start with the AC bracket from a 331 or 354 as the 392s had different heads. |
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New/modern accessories in my 1956 Imperial
