LS swaps are old news. Although great for the budget with easy access to aftermarket parts, some gearheads are looking for something a little different, and more Mopar fans are hoping to replace their tired engines with a modern Hemi. Dodge has a prominent following in racing, so if you’re building a classic muscle car to be a record-setting competitive race car, it makes sense to swap the classic engine for modern technology.

The most affordable and available Hemi engine is the Gen III, and it comes with all the perks of modern technology. However, a Gen III Hemi swap poses an extra challenge that’s less frequently experienced with other Mopar or LS engines. A Gen III Hemi can be up to 5 inches wider than other Mopar engines.

The Gen III Hemi is large enough on its own, but add in the alternator and you'll be fighting to shoehorn one into the engine bay of a classic car.

The Hemi paired with the factory alternator is nearly impossible to swap into a classic Mopar or muscle car without some modification. Without relocating the alternator, it sits low and rubs against the frame rail. Cue Holley’s Gen III Hemi Alternator relocation bracket (p/n 97-347), and you even get to save money by keeping the factory alternator.

Instead of having to notch your frame rail, Holley’s Gen III Hemi Alternator relocation bracket makes what could be a complicated install an easy fit. By providing a different mounting point, it moves the alternator location outward and upward to allow for more room between the Hemi and the passenger side frame rail. With the correct (and common) tools, the bracket installation is straightforward.

Using the hardware supplied with the 97-347 Alternator Relocation Kit, bot the new bracket to the engine block.

This procedure can be done with the engine in or out of the car, but since we’re swapping a classic Mopar engine to a modern Hemi, we relocated the alternator while it was on the engine stand.

First, remove the serpentine belt by using a 3/8" ratchet to take the tension off the auto tensioner. Peel part of the belt away from a pulley of your choice, unwind the rest of the belt and remove. Using a 15mm socket, remove the three bolts on the alternator. Bolt the bracket on to the engine using the supplied hardware.

Bolt the alternator back on the new bracket with the factor alternator bolts and supplied nuts. It helps to have a second set of hands to line up the alternator’s mounting points with the bracket’s, but hugging it in place with a spare arm will do. Lastly, install the idler pulley and serpentine belt in reverse from the uninstall process.

Installing and removing the belt is best done with a 3/8-inch ratchet at the belt tensioner. For this application, which won't use either air conditioning or power steering, we used a Gates K060926 serpentine belt for a secure fit.

With the Hemi's alternator moved up and out of the way, fitting the block into the engine bay of a classic Mopar has one less headache to deal with!