The best photographers will always tell you that to hedge your bet that you'll get the best shot possible, you should always bracket your exposures. What this means is that you take one shot at what you think is the correct exposure and then take two more, one a little darker and one a little lighter. This really doesn't have much to do with hot rods and customs but when it came time to take a look at some different engine accessory brackets for a tri-power-equipped GM Performance Parts 502ci big-block we've been working on we felt it might be interesting to compare some of them.
Anyone that has swapped an engine in a street rod knows that things get crowded pretty quick. If you're building a '50s or '60s car, you have a few more options because in most cases, the engine bays are rather large and can accommodate almost anything. Even so, the very nature of this hobby is that we all like what we like and even though it may not be what the other guy likes, so what. Because of this several companies have designed A/C, alternator and power steering brackets that fit the need for all of us.
First things first, this comparison is not intended to suggest that one system is better than another. Each one chosen solves a particular need or style. They all work just as intended and mount the components solidly. As it worked out they are also on three different pricing levels.
On the economy end, we chose a low-profile set from Alan Grove Components. These brackets are designed to work with a long water pump and mount the A/C compressor and alternator outside the valve covers. The brackets come boxed individually and in pieces along with a bag of the needed fasteners. The only finish available for these brackets is bare steel. This gives you the choice of painting them to match your engine, or if so desired, finding someone to chrome them.
In the middle, we called Bill's Hot Rod Company and ordered a set of their brackets. The only system they offer for a big-block is designed for short water pumps and mounts the components inside the valve covers over the intake. You do have a choice of finishes: They are available in chrome, black powdercoated, or bare steel (for the budget minded). We've been to their shop and watched them prepare their brackets for shipping so we weren't surprised when ours came pre-assembled and very carefully wrapped to protect the chrome.
On the top end, we have Vintage Air's Front Runner system. If you're looking for something that is going to wow the crowd as soon as you pop the hood, this will get you there. The compressor, alternator, and power-steering pump are all neatly grouped at the front of the engine and run off a serpentine belt. The system uses a type II GM PS pump, which is not included so we called one of Vintage Air's largest dealers, Detroit Speed and Engineering, and ordered one from them.
We're not going to show every step in installing these systems, each one comes with easy-to-follow instructions that even we could understand; but we will highlight some of the procedures.
