300 Utility Alternator conversion hood clearance

[sunsettractor]

I decided to do a 12 volt conversion on this tractor for several reasons, I purchased an alternator bracket kit from an ebay seller, creative steel art, mainly because it was said that no hood modifications would be needed, and his feedback was very positive as well. I am using the common delco 10 si alternator, rebuilder # 7127. The brackets bolted on easily and the alternator fits very tight to the engine, even uses the original belt. It appears the hood would have plenty of clearance as the alternator sits well inside of the line of the hood, but... there are braces inside the hood, and the front brace is exactly where the alternator sits, the brace makes contact with the alternator before the hood reaches it's mounting surface. I cant see that the alternator could be any closer to the valve cover without making contact. I contacted the bracket supplier, he said until now there have been no issues with hood clearance, his feedback reflects this as well. I think there are probably a bunch of 300 utility tractors that have been converted over, have any of you ran into a clearance issue with the hood brace and if so, did you remove or modify the brace or alternator? What about removing the brace from the hood, would that seriously structurally compromise anything? Thanks for any info on this...Tom

 

[Janicholson]

Why fight it. Use a Hitachi 14231 alternator from Nissan PU. They are wired the same L=1, S=2 Much smaller similar money. Jim

 

[pete 23]

Just remove the brace.

 

[504]

I have seen more than one with the hood braces cut out,too bad the hood still hits the alt. Go with the import alt.

 

[sunsettractor]

Thanks for the tip, ordered one from Rock Auto, $36.00 including core charge. Much better than chopping up a nice 60 year old hood, Thanks Again...Tom