What bracket is this?

I don't know the 348 like the 355 but it looks like the accessory belt tentioner bracket...

http://www.eurospares.co.uk/parts/ferrari/348-2-7-motronic/electrical-ignition/current-generator-starting-motor-41199/145357

#19 P/N: 145357

 

Yep, accessory belt tensioner. Looks like it's still fully functional.

 

$363 from MaseratiPartsUSA
Maserati Parts USA - 145357 - SUPPORT LOWER (MAR)

 

Unless you're really anal I wouldn't spend the $1000. Like Bruce said it looks functional. You could try Ferrparts or Exotic Auto Recycling and probably get a used one for a couple hundred $.

 

I've gotta wonder... how the hell do you break that?

 

Good answer. Troll e-bay until you find one cheap and swap it in at the next engine out.

Let the purists scream now

 

How do you tension your belt? It's missing the part the tensioner uses. I only know this because I'm in the middle of my major right now.
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hey, no judgement, just wondering how it worked. If it works as is, its not too bad to change on the car if you desire if you waited for a deal.

 

Whoa. I thought the back piece of the bracket was flat.

What goes where the arrow is in Pic #2?

I rescind my initial comment and would suggest that bracket needs to be placed...
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I would certainly replace the bracket (with a used one if you can locate one). This is not a case of wasting money changing parts that may not need, this is a broken part and the function is now gone.

 

I think many alternator brackets were broken in the same way. My bracket was broken just like that and welded back; and it was the second bracket as it was dated 1993 and my car is 1991 so the first (factory) bracket was broken within the first 2 years. Now I have a new (3rd) bracket which I got with the alternator upgrade kit that I recently bought. Otherwise, it seems that there were at least two differently shaped brackets depending on the type of the alternator used.

The reason for the breakage is very simple - that corner of the bracket supports the alternator belt tensioner pulley; to release the tension, you turn the adjuster screw CLOCKWISE, to tension the belt, turn ANTICLOCKWISE. If common logic is applied, you think that turning the adjuster screw ANTICLOCKWISE will release the tension (but it actually applies more tension); you think that the bolt has partially seized and force it further anticlockwise until the "CRACK-SNAP" (what the...?).

 

There is a used one on Ebay for $280 (Ferrari 348 Lower Alternator Mounting Bracket 139295 | eBay). However, the seller is wrong with the p/n - it is not a 139295 as advertised but a 145357 (as on the casting).

The two different part numbers are as follows:

139295, AC Delco, up to engine 30737 (David, you need this one)
145357, Denso, after engine 30737 (this the bracket I have, Denso alternator)

 

David, Eurospares have 139295 new at £274.62 and two used ones at £137.31.

A question, that someone may be able to answer, is whether 139295 and 145357 are interchangeable, irrespective of whether you have AC Delco or Denso.

Before you decide to buy the bracket, you may wish to consider upgrading to Denso (better than AC Delco) in which case you should look for bracket 145357 (like the one on Ebay I posted earlier).

 

On the photo of your broken bracket, you can see the last digits of the 295 P/N.

 

GT Parts in Phoenix. Don't forget to check with them as well. It will be used.

 

I've done 4 or 5 big orders on Diablo parts from Eurospares and it has boggled my mind how fast I got the parts. Usually way faster then their counterparts right here in h USA.