1973 AC conversion Compressor Issue

[pickman]

My conversion uses a Sanden style 508 compressor and the York conversion bracket with the original compressor to engine bracket. Installing my radiator I notice the compressor pulley interferes with the radiator hose and is very close to the radiator hose outlet port. Has anyone run into this issue?

 

[Gary Knox]

My Sanden compressor is a 510. The double groove pulley is quite close to the radiator hose as well. But, there is at least 1/4" clearance, and that has not been a problem.

Gary

 

[sfdon]

We install my old friends James’ conversion in my shop.
So cheap and easy.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=126830

 

[pickman]

Looking into this there are two different size pulleys I have the larger one on my compressor the smaller pulley will provide an additional .250 inch clearance.

 

[zinz]

I’m using this bracket adapter on my e28 and having the same issue...

This with the 508 Sanden.

...shoulda been so easy

Ed

 

[Ohmess]

Yeah, make sure your radiator is mounted securely too. I bought an aluminum radiator from Don that works great for cooling but is slightly thinner than the stock radiator. My first attempt at making sure it was secure in the factory mounts was not good enough. Radiator moved, cut a tiny slice in the lower radiator hose, and created a leak that I found by the sound coming from the a/c belt slipping on the coolant.

 

[zinz]

In my e28 application the radiator and hoses are OEM.

I may have to go with Don's suggestion and use the other style brackets... grrrrrrrr

 

[pickman]

Today moved the radiator as far as possible to the passenger side of the vehicle it looks like I now have enough room to get the hose on the radiator. I'm not sure if I have an OEM hose it may be something that I just used to get the engine running, it look too large in ID to fit the water pump and the radiator. The nest option is to put a smaller pulley and clutch on the compressor. Although I have increased the clearance it is still rather close to the pulley and afraid the engine rocking may cause interference.

 

[Stevehose]

I have the same bracket as you but an aluminum radiator. No clearance issues with that or my old stock radiator.

 

[pickman]

Steve, What diameter is your pulley? There are two this may be the issue?

 

[Stevehose]

Hard to measure but it's approx 12cm

 

[pickman]

Thank you

 

[pickman]

Re positioned the York adapter bracket resulting in about one inch clearance now. This should do it!

 

[HB Chris]

I hope your York bracket still had good rubber in the pivot, they tend to turn to mush.

 

[Ohmess]

Yeah, pickman, between the heat and the occasional oil bath, the bushings in the original brackets tend to deteriorate. If its working for you now, I would consider that a temporary fix and seek another bracket. I bought one from Bob (or maybe it was Robert?) at Ice Auto Air. http://iceautoair.com/

 

[pickman]

Yes mine went bad 20 years ago I machined a metal insert that I pressed in the top and nylon inserts pressed in the bottom.

 

[Gary Knox]

Since the rotary compressors don't vibrate and bounce up and down like the York piston compressors, the mount can be hard mounted to the block. Those bushings partially dampened the vibrating York (remember that vibration well on my '73 back in the late 70's).

Gary

 

[pickman]

I recall all too well the pounding on the sway bar was maddening.

 

[Stevehose]

York compressor no bueno

 

[HB Chris]

The Sanden is actually an axial compressor with either five or seven pistons which I was surprised to learn. A true rotary has a spiral rotor, not sure who makes those.