Alternator Smoking?

[CoryM]

it's just a regular 3 wire gm delco 60 amp... so it's already internally regulated right?

Yep

how would i find the right alignment? i mean... how could i measure angle.

Well generally you just use a straight edge and lay it across the crank pulley and it should contact both sides of the alternator pulley. You can also hold a laser pen in the groove and see where the dot is but the straight edge is best. It doesn't have to be TOO precise, but you do want it pretty close or you will fling belts and wear things out.

i really wanna get a serpentine setup but that's way off my budget and won't happen for a long time. but i want to get my alternator situated sturdy and steady. would swapping a long water pump and the associated 69-up brackets with v-belts in be a waste of time and money? i think that setup is so much cleaner and stronger looking.

Take a look at http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/
They have some pretty solid steel brackets that are very affordable. Much easier to buy from them than fab up your own stuff for simple things like that. Looks like their mid mount alternator only fits long pumps though so hopefully you will find something that fits your application. I have used a couple of different kits and they all fit nicely except for a slight application error (said a 78-79 p/s pump would work but only pre-77 did).