It sounds like the longer bushing the alternator came with must have been a convenience but not technically "correct" as it eliminates the bushing+ spacer. So going from the head out - short spacer, short bushing (in rear ear), long spacer, bracket, front ear. Right?
this is correct on A/C cars. On non A/C the bracket goes in front of alt ear. Mainly because the front bracket mounts further front into the water pump housing. On A/C cars those locations are used by the A/C compressor, so alt bracket ( diff one of course ) fits in deeper locations. NOW this would make a diff spacers length too between A/C and non A/C. I GUESS the longer one being a bit longer too
