I'm installing a new 225 motor in my 1980 truck. The smog pump is gone and I am definitely not digging the highboy look of the AC compressor. You can see where the smog pump used to mount. Can I use bracketry from older trucks or cars? Or has someone come up with something on their own? Any help and suggestions are appreciated. Also, the PS pump isn't sitting right. Anyone have some pics on the proper setup? I was a moron for not taking pics before I took everything apart. It all looked so simple at the time, but I ended up with a complicated metal jigsaw puzzle.
I was looking at Bouchllion Performance looking for a a/c sanden style compressor bracket for my 318. They have a listing for a bracket for the Slant Six. #3001 The price will knock your sox off. You may want to check for one from a late 80's FMJ body car.
Yes that's factory, and it looks even higher in real life while I gaze at it. I had to remove 3 of the water pump housing bolts to mount the bracket, now I got to buy longer ones to make sure of the bite. The only decent idea I have is to modify that bracket and make the spot where smog pump was the new place for the compressor. And then cut the top of the bracket away. But then those braces/struts at the rear of the compressor would need modification. My metalworking skills are few. But I think I can come up with something nice, given time. Getting so close Rob. Remember when I said I was waiting on a part to finish the throttle cable mod? Well it came in! But another delay. It's a collar with a setscrew. The setscrew takes a .035" allen wrench. Got one of those lying around? LOL Amazon had 'em.
That is the same mount and drive that has been made since the '70's at least. It has never been a good fit for a "A" body. That is why I started have some made. I had to stop haveing them made because the company that was making them for me increased the price, and the minimum order quantity, to the point, I couldn't afford to tie up that much money. Here is a thread with pics of my prototype mount. New Climate Control System | For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum PS: When I first starting using the original ones, they only cost about $40.00
I'm going to run it right now and make the purdification an after-project. Went and got 1 1/4" long 5/16"-18 grade 8 black oxide flange bolts to secure it. Holy frijole, has anyone priced hardware lately? $20 bucks for a few bolts and washers at True Value, and that was with 10% vet discount. But now the AC compressor is the immovable object.
On a good note, what a fine selection they had, everything I wanted. Got the heater hoses run. Odd little setup. Both holes at the motor (head/water pump) are 5/8" ID. But on the 4-port heater valve (FSM shows 2-port BTW), one is 5/8" and the other is 1/2". So I used 1/2" hose and forced it onto the 5/8" hole at the head rather than have a loose fit. But now it looks bloated out there and a possible failure point way down the road.
oh snap Rob 1/2" duh 3 ports on the valve and both ports on the motor are 5/8", 1 port on the valve is 1/2" I got those flange bolts on my mind lol I fixed the post
Started over with PS pump/bracket. Took everything apart and reassembled and now it's ok. I must have had something cattywhompus. Found out the air pump has to stay because it tensions the AC belt. Oh well. Last pic is the heater hose reroute underneath the alternator. I made a little bracket to make it stay there. Less hard turns on that route. Gates green stripe hoses and clamps all around. Backflush port installed.
I'm close to that point on my truck too. I don't remember if it was here or over on the /6 site but I need to dig up the pix of "my68barracuda"'s truck as I remember he had pix of just the ac installation posted somewhere. I know that he used the brackets for the air pump equipped version, I think he put some kind of adjustable idler in what used to be the air pump mount area. I want to be able to use the factory AC hoses for simplicity in parts access when I do my retrofit
Yea a tensioner/idler would be sweet to replace the air pump. That air pump you see is a not too old reman and it's showing wear. Probably will start making noise not far down the road. On order, I'll make it work I think https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2SGMK/?tag=fabo03-20
LOL, with the drugs the doc is giving me it could happen! How do you feel about the VR1 Racing Oil, Rob? Just heading out to the garage now. Fuel and vacuum line work. Maybe some wiring. I'll snap some pics. Still waiting on the wrench to finish the throttle cable mod. I took pics for that one and might do a brief write up if it all works out.
Got the fuel line run, and most of the vacuum stuff figured out. Ju Cool. And it's full synthetic. Got the fuel line run, and most of the vacuum stuff figured out. Just to clarify, the distributor vacuum advance port on the BBD is where the choke is connected to right now? Nothing seems to spell this out clearly in my searching. I won't be using OSAC of course.
I'm not sure on that. You can leave the vacuum advance off until after you get it running. That way, you can see which port to plug it into. It will only have vacuum when the throttle is opened. At idle it will have nothing.
