63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

[Edward J.]

Was wondering if some of you 63 Guys have the dimensions of the adjuster bracket , At my last regional meet I was told my arm was a truck bracket, Which I though was a original piece, as it is 7/8 in to 1 in. back to 7/8 through the adjustment and stamped with a (V). I have a feeling that its correct, and was a over site?? the only dimension which is not listed in the JM is the thickness, which is about 3/16" Thanks for your input.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Edward,

I just measured the alternator bracket on my 63 approx 1 1/2" lower than the adjusting slot and it measures approx. .206+- thick. This bracket came with the car and has the stamped V with the taper you describe above. I never knew of a truck bracket, but I have another that came from a 1963 #628 alternator I bought as a spare but it's packed away at the moment.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Hi Tim, Thanks for your response on the thickness. I will get a micrometer and take a measurement of my bracket and post later this week. I am dealing with 2 1/2 feet of snow today we got a blizzard her in the N.East.

[John D.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Edward, The '63 "hockey stick" bracket is very thin and has little guts. Doesn't take much for those to bend. My ooriginal is loaded with paint and measure about the same as Tim's. With paint it's .207 or a tad smaller.
Your 3/16 guess is thinner yet. 3/1 6 = .187
A certain well known member here taught me how to take a nice thick one and mill it down with bubba methods. You know how you are.

;

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

John, Thanks for you input. I still have not been in the garage its been CCCCold here in the N.East and a lot of snow lately. I do want to take a measurement on my 63 bracket. When I took a quick measurement it was with a old crusty tape measure and am sure mine is likely the measurement of yours and Tim's.

[David L.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

I had a NOS 3825462 brace several years ago. As I remember the width was about an 1/8" wider on the curved section and there was a large "V" stamped on it. The brace 2nd from the bottom is the 63 Corvette brace (wo/AC), GM # 3842462. The 3868882 brace is almost identical to the 3842462 except it is slightly longer, maybe an inch at the most.
Dave

[Christopher P.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Apparently mine is too thick as well, as it was mentioned at the Lone Star Regional. There were three other 63s there and two had my thickness and both of the others varied from each other enough to be noticeable. Can't recall if it was a deduction or just a mention but I will check my score sheet. I will also check the thickness of mine and edit this post to add what I find out.

[Bob J.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Apparently mine is too thick as well, as it was mentioned at the Lone Star Regional.

Christopher,
who was the judge that thinks you brace was wrong and how was the thickness measured ?

Thanks, Bob

[Christopher P.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

The discussion of my alternator bracket was only about the thickness, not the width. I just measured mine and it is exactly (with caliper) .250" thick. It appeared thicker than two of the other cars at the meet but appeared to be equal to the fourth car. I was deducted 1 point for originality and 1 point for condition with a note of "Brace Thickness" on my scoring sheet (the other 63 with the thicker appearing brace also received a deduction). I did not see any measuring device used at the meet but as we reviewed the score sheets, the judge said "look at yours, now look at this one" and we walked to an adjacent car. Noticeable difference between the two; I had done no research on alternator brace thickness so I was pleased it was pointed out and it seems easy enough to correct for next time. I need to find an agreed upon thickness then locate a correct example or start grinding.
(Bob- I tried to send judge info via PM but you inbox is full.)

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Bob, Whats your thought on the thickness of the brace?? I believe that the thickness of the brace is not something that should be considered during the judging, if you really don't have a micrometer or a spec. and even when looking at a car next to to gauge which one is correct the JM does give some clues on the correct configuration other than the thickness which is not even in the topic.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Could this be a reproduction part issue like just about every other repro part.

[Bob J.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Bob, Whats your thought on the thickness of the brace?? I believe that the thickness of the brace is not something that should be considered during the judging, if you really don't have a micrometer or a spec. and even when looking at a car next to to gauge which one is correct the JM does give some clues on the correct configuration other than the thickness which is not even in the topic.

Ed,
I'm getting the same measurements as Timothy and JD, which is .204.
I know this brace was on the car since 1971 which was the last time it had license plates.
I was curious how a judge could gauge .020 accurately by eyesight ..........since I'm told they're not suppose to touch.
Bob J

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Thanks Bob, I am taking a accurate measurement on mine tonight with a micrometer that I have at my shop at work.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

I took a measurement of my bracket and measures 2.08. maybe a little extra paint on mine. which is really in line with the others.

[Christopher P.]

Re: 63 Alternator upper adjusting bracket

Edward, if yours is 2.08 then it is 8X thicker than mine, you should expect a significant deduction (j/k, I'm sure you meant .208).
Anyone want to trade their thinner version for my much stronger .250 one? ha