Back of alternator touches cylinder head

Just changed alternator brackets for A/C install and now the back of my alternator housing touches the aluminum cylinder head. Will this cause a problem?

None of the wiring contacts like the Field or BAT are rubbing against anything so I should be OK?

The alternator is grounded through the case, so additional contact will not create an electrical problem. This is why there isn't a big black wire connected to the alternator alongside the big red wire.

The outside of the head should not get appreciably hotter than the coolant, so that is not a problem.

I read into your question that nothing else was changed except for the A/C install and the new bracket came with the kit. That tells me the new bracket moved the alternator closer to the cylinder head. This could mean your pulleys aren't aligned any more. That is a problem.

You may be able to use a longer belt if the alternator bracket has enough adjustment to move alternator away from engine.

R.

This thread is relevant to my interests. I put a 120amp Denso on, and it is cloooooose. I am concerned about future aluminum heads and A/C install causing issues with clearance. I am sure it's going to be not fun, LOL.

No I changed the alternator bracket,pulleys,spacers and belts in order to get proper belt alignment and fit. Thanks!

I am running a newer Sanden 508 compressor and bracket kit from Bouchillonperformance and it fits really good. I changed the AC pulleys and brackets to factory and everything aligns really straight because the compressor is mounted in the factory location.

I am running a higher amp but factory style alternator that you can buy over the counter from any auto parts store....but I am not sure what changes mounting a Denso alternator would change things.

I wouldn't drive any of my cars with the alternator touching the head where it shouldn't, fix it now by removing material from the back of the alternator where it is touching the head before the head does it for you

BB or SB? Stock style alternator or other?

With a BB and AL heads and AC and Bouchillon re-pop OE style brackets, a stock square back fits. Barely. Anything longer does not fit in my experience.

Personally I would space the alternator out or remove material from the head to get some clearance. Or pick a different alternator.

in the process as you know be sure to check the pulley alignment. it is easy to space the WP & crank pulleys forward & their are easily available spacers of different thicknesses. use a piece of straight tubing or a laser pointer layed in the grooves to get dead on alignment, more critical on high RPM/race apps than a DD. On a side note You want a short of fan belt as possible/check pulley grooves for excessive wear & there was something about ribbed fan belts being better???

My pulley belt alignment is very straight and my waterpump fan belt is very short and includes a idler pulley.

laters stock alts are a bit thicker. Stator is wider same as the case, maybe couple of milimeters or a bit more. On my case the back of alt met with block. What I did is run a bit longer belt and solved.