Alternator placement

I just got a 1990 LX notchback off E-bay, its a converted 6cyl to an 8cyl, one of the problems with the car is they took the power steering out of the car, tried driving it with out it, I don't think so. they cut and crimped the line coming from the rack and pinion and removed the steering pump. This is my problem, they put a 302 in but I guess they wired it up using the V6 wiring harness, the alternator is sitting on the right side of the engine instead of the left and the power steering pump will go under the alternator. I'm trying to figure out how to run my belt to catch every thing, I'm really working with a shoe string budget, if I can get away with letting the alternator stay on the right side with the power steering unit so be it, any ideas.

David  

Best thing for you to do is get a 5.0 accessory drive from a salvage yard, or eBay, or Craigslist. And also, a '90 LX would've had a 4-cylinder, not a 6-cylinder. The alternator is designed to be on the passenger side of the engine with the power steering pump on the driver side. If that's how it is, that's how it's supposed to be.  
Michael Johnson
Associate Editor
5.0 Mustang and Super Fords

Thanks,
Its not set up like that though, just won a 5.0 engine harness off      E-Bay as I'm writting this, so I guess I'm started in the right direction. I'm going to need a alternator bracket with a tension puller, there's no hardware on the passenger side of the motor. I won this little gem off a E-bay auction, I've had it for about a week now the farthest I've driven it was off the trailer it came on and up my driveway, someone put a different rear end in it but didn't hook back up the emergency brake cable's. I'm catching you know what trying to secure the cable end on to that plate that goes inside the brake shoe for the emergency brake, and that's just two of the things so far that I've found out about my pony. I don't have a shop or a wealth automotive know how but I do have a love for these cars and am willing to bust a couple of kunckles to make it a nice runabout.
Will keep you posted as I go and thanks for the help.

David N.  

I have done this same conversion, and know what you're up against. You will need the V8 harness, and I would guess V8 e-brake cables. I don't know about the cables since I didn't use the e-brake on my conversion car. LOL I had a disc brake conversion on that car pretty soon after I got the car, but even still I didn't have e-brake cables on it. You really need to find out what rear is under the car before you do anything else. Runabout? Are you from Australia or something? LOL  
Michael Johnson
Associate Editor
5.0 Mustang and Super Fords

Thank's,
I'm going to check the rest of the break system out and replace what's needed, how would I go about finding what kind of rear end is under the car. I had a mechanic stop by today and look the car over, he said whoever had the car took a lot of short cuts, bad ones mostly. He suggested that I start at the front of the car and work my way back, right now its mostly basic stuff, get the power steering going again, I hope the rack and pinion unit is still good, the car has a push button starter which will also go, it works when the car is cold but when it warms up, cut the car off and try to start it again, it spins but will not engage the flywheel, it has long tube headers so trying to get that starter out should be fun. The mechanic said it might be the heat from the headers that's causing the stater to fail, will wrapping the headers up to get rid of some of that heat help. As far as being an Aussie, I'm true "Stars and Stripes", but I have had a blooming onion before

Take care,

David N  

If there's a tag on the rear end that would easily help identify what rear is under the car. However, I'm sure it's gone so you'll have to identify the rear in distinguishable features. The easiest way to tell a 7.5 rear from an 8.8 is the differential cover. The 7.5 has has rounded sides, whereas an 8.8 has vertical sides. if the rear happens to have the tag still on it, it will tell you what rear it is.
Push button starter? Seriously? LOL If the starter spins I wouldn't think it's an electrical issue. I would be more inclined to think it's an alignment issue. Check to make sure the starter is bolted and wired correctly. Personally, I hate header wrap, but it could help in this case. Ceramic coating is the better option, but that's also more expensive.
The mechanic you speak of is wise with his advice. Make a list from front to rear, fix each issue, cross it off, and go on to the next one. Good luck, mate. LOL  
Michael Johnson
Associate Editor
5.0 Mustang and Super Fords