73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) => Topic started by: Fairlane514 on April 15, 2012, 09:38:09 pm
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I was thinking, why can't I use my original bracket and studs, and then use some spacers. Or long bolts and spacers. Just a quick thought, so maybe I'm wrong.
It seems the only bracket offered is for a "long" style a/c compressor and mine is a 1985 with the short compressor.
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Sorry... not clairvoyant.... What are you working on? Can you post a pic?
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I took the original exhaust manifolds off of my 85 with a 350, A/C and power steering. I am going to install headers and need the bracket for my A/C and power steering.
The only bracket I can find, works on the "long" style compressor, and I have the short.
It seems there may be a way to use the original bracket, I just need to study it some more when I get the headers installed.
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Use the stud/bolt that came out of the manifold and shim it out with some sort of spacer.
I'm guessing it's the first bolt on number 1 cylinder?
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Yeah, its the first two bolts on number one cylinder.
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I found out with my headers I an only use the first bolt (the one on the left if your facing them. So I'm gonna fabricate one for the ac. The header tube curves over the second bolt a little
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I have seen some brackets made for ac for trucks that have headers, that since you can only use the bolt out of #1, they made a bracket to use another spot in the front. The bracket had a bent tab so it mounted on front and #1 bolt.
I do not know if they home made this or it is available aftermarket. I would think it would not be that hard to do, but what ever will work for you and keep things from coming apart I would say would be fine.
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just use a THICK length of pipe that fits the bolt, to make up for what an exhaust manifold would would add, vs a header. Use a THICK piece of pipe the bolt slides into easily, and thick washers that fit the bolt correctly at each end. cut the piece of pipe to fit.
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I modified the factory one on my 86 to use with my long tube headers. I can take pics if needed.
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I modified the factory one on my 86 to use with my long tube headers. I can take pics if needed.
pics:)
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I did use my original bracket which I modified to fit. I ended up using the first hole on the head on #1 cylinder with a stud and the third hole on the head with a stud. I had to cut one of the "ears" off the bracket that originally went on the second threaded hole on the head to clear the front header tube. I removed the smog pump system, and it had a piece of round steel with a slight "S" shape to it and a 3/8 hole in each end. I used this to weld to the A/C bracket at the area where I removed the "ear" and , and bolted it to the stud I placed on the third threaded hole in the head. There is plenty of clearance for the spark plug wires.
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I modified the factory one on my 86 to use with my long tube headers. I can take pics if needed.
pics:)
Sure thing. Ill be out working on it later. Ill try to get them up later
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I used the factory bolt (stud) on the first hole. screw a nut onto the bolt, screw the bolt in the head till it bottoms then tighten the nut down against the header flange. I cut a small piece off the a/c bracket off that covered the second bolt.This will allow the a/c bracket to go over the first bolt (stud) screw another nut onto the stud and run it all the way down to wear the threads stop. put the a/c bracket on and use another nut to tighten down the a/c bracket. Then you are able to to use a header bolt on the second one.
About the same idea every else had.
I had to cut the a/c bracket cause it would not clear the header tube.
I have done this on both my 87's with no problems from a/c bracket or gaskets leaking.