A/C compressor bracket too tall on billy-goat wagon - any thoughts?

Dear V-8 Buick A/C experts,

This is mostly likely one of those mission impossible questions, but here it goes. Jim Weise custom-fabricated a bracket to mount the Vintage Air compressor on the masterpiece big-block engine he built for me. Alas, when he did that, he didn't have the car to compare it against. Well, the engine is now in the car and . . . . . . oops!!



Now Greg, being a very subtle, understated sort of a guy proposed the perfect solution: a massive cowl induction hood scoop!! :3gears:

Ahem - request denied!

Does anybody have another clever idea short of just starting over and custom-building another bracket? ray:

Thanks in advance for any pearls of wisdom on this one! :Smarty:

Cheers, Edouard :beer

 

Does the AC clutch hit or is just the hose too high? Can you install different fittings to bring that hose down enough?

 

Edouard, I still have the bracket that Mark from Then & Now made.

 

Yea, thats what I first thought. If its only the lines going to hit under the hood. and theres no sump on the bottom. I think that If theres is a sump for oil it has to go to the bottom. If not no problem.

 

Turning compressor sure would be the easiest (Re: A/C compressor bracket too tall )

Hi Frank, Frank, Brad, Richard, and V-8 Buick A/C tinkerers,

The engine isn't in its final position yet, so don't know exactly how much space there is. Sure looks mighty tight even if the hoses were turned 90˚, but perhaps there is hope. Okay, I'll check into trying to turn the compressor first and see where that leads.

Thanks for the tips gang!! :TU:

Cheers, Edouard :beer

 

I agree with trying to reclock the outlets. That will gain you at least a few inches. If that isn't enough, you are going to have to modify the bracket. The alternator has a second groove because you can run over it to the AC compressor as long as the pulleys at the crank are the same size and won't constantly scrub it. Either cut the AC mounting off the bracket and reweld it lower or use a shorter belt on the alternator so you can let the AC compressor tuck in a little closer. Otherwise, you'll need to get a lot more creative.

Keep us posted.

 

Saw this bracket picture earlier today. Not sure who made it but it was in the Newport Start and Charge forum under the alternator section....

 

Can't tell from the photo, but can you just put a longer belt on it and lay it over further than it currently is?

 

I forget which motor mounts are you using? Is there excessive room between the oil pan and cross member? Maybe the motor could be lowered a hair (as well as clocking the compressor).

 

I'll be checking into this today. (Re: A/C compressor bracket too tall )

Thanks gang for all the help!!

I had to put some time into the glove box liner yesterday, so this was on the back burner. In my trusty wagon multi-tasking, I'm going to check into all this today and if turning the compressor looks like it would give enough clearance. Since the engine isn't even in its final position yet, it may not be possible to answer this question until the cross-member problem is solved.

Cheers, Edouard :beer

 

Side note. I cannot tell in your pictures what condition the body to frame bushings are in. My car gained almost a 1/4 more clearance around stuff when I installed new body bushings. That would lift the hood/whole car up a bit versus the engine.

 

Hmm, body bushings - huh? . . . (Re: A/C compressor bracket too tall)

Hi Randall and V-8 Buick problem-solvers,

Remember that at 9am I promised to get back to the compressor problem and . . . . . . . sufferin' succotash, I'm still trying to get back to it!!

Nonetheless, . . . . .

Hmm, that's an interesting question. A lot of work was done on Biquette in 2010, but I don't remember if those bushings were replaced or not. I'll add this to my questions for Greg when I finally get back to Orinda Motors.

Thanks for all the help!!! :TU:

Cheers, Edouard :beer

---------- Post added at 02:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:23 PM ----------

Dear Brad and V-8 Buick problem solvers,

I finally got a chance to read these websites carefully:

Can't be sure that this will solve the problem until the engine is in its final position, but this does look very promising. I'll forward your links to Greg at Orinda Motors.

Thank again for everything!! :TU:

Cheers, Edouard :beer

 

I found this in my stack of pictures from back in 2005. Looks like your compressor turned on its side and a turnbuckle for an upper bracket. Also notice the AC belt rides on the alternator pulley. Seems to clear a lot in a 70-72 GS body. I think we need to see how the motor sits once you get all the big pieces settled in.

 

Edouard, this attachment from March worked to get my lines turned down.

 

Re: I'll be checking into this today. (Re: A/C compressor bracket too tall )

Eduardo, did you get your compressor rotated over?i am currently working on a 455 project with vintage air in a 70 GS and was wondering if you have any detailed pics of the compressor bracket?