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Installing AC parts and the stuff just won’t fit right
I’m just getting around to installing my AC components back into my 70 442. Everything has been replaced/serviced to work with R134A refrigerant. My first problem, I installed the bracket over the valve cover but it won’t sit flush with the intake manifold. It’s sitting on the valve cover so there isn’t anyway to push it down any further. I did not see any spacer being used in the assembly manual, I circled the area to show the issue (2 pics - different views).
The second issue I’m finding is I installed the A6 compressor and everything lines up except for the rear bracket which won’t sit flush with the bracket that sits on the valve cover. I seem to have everything installed according to the assembly manual so what am I doing wrong?
I'm wondering if you don't have a matched set of brackets. Kind of like the pulleys? Maybe its being pulled away from the intake by the other brackets. What year engine are you working on?
John
I'm wondering if you don't have a matched set of brackets. Kind of like the pulleys? Maybe its being pulled away from the intake by the other brackets. What year engine are you working on?
John
I looked through both the assembly and the service manuals and everything seems to be right but I shouldn't have those gaps - oh well this car keeps battling with me. I'll be spending a few hours tomorrow and hopefully I can find out what is going on. I appreciate your help John.
Tom, I'm afraid I'm not much help. I've got the diagram from the assembly manual, but it sounds like you've already reviewed that. The head bolt? The one with the stud on it, I wonder if that could be throwing things out of alignment. But I think there's only one that would fit your year of engine.
Whoops! I didn't refresh your thread before making this reply.
Let's start with the big cast bracket that goes over the valve cover. Take it off and very carefully inspect the bosses where it sits on the intake and head stud. I have one that was like that and it turns out that someone had previously ground the underside of the mounting feet to clear an aftermarket intake, which is why it wouldn't sit properly on a factory intake. Also, what intake are you running? Did these brackets come off of this engine? Finally, are ALL the fasteners loose (including the ones to the compressor) when you are trying to get this to fit up?
Good morning Joe, last night I decided to add the belt to make sure the pulleys were aligned properly and it appears that they are.
This was also leading me to think the bracket over the valve cover may have been altered. I will be taking that off to check this morning. The intake is the original intake as far as I’m aware of but I’ll double check that when I go to take the bracket off. I bought some of these brackets off a member here a couple of years ago. When I got the car the brackets were off but some were in a box. I do not have the fasteners loose but I will give that a shot if the valve cover bracket seems to be good and I put everything back in again.
Let's start with the big cast bracket that goes over the valve cover. Take it off and very carefully inspect the bosses where it sits on the intake and head stud. I have one that was like that and it turns out that someone had previously ground the underside of the mounting feet to clear an aftermarket intake, which is why it wouldn't sit properly on a factory intake. Also, what intake are you running? Did these brackets come off of this engine? Finally, are ALL the fasteners loose (including the ones to the compressor) when you are trying to get this to fit up?
Joe, you were spot on with the bracket over the valve cover as someone grounded down the boss on the intake side. The head stud side seems to be untouched. Thanks again for shedding some light.
Yup, the sins we commit trying to make stuff work.
You can get another bracket, which still might have fitment problems, or make a spacer to sit in there.
As for the rear mount on the compressor, don't sweat it. Mine's looked the same every time I've installed an A6. Get the front lined up and loose, then just insert a bolt through there and tighten that back one last. It'll pull together. It's just to stop the tail of the compressor from wagging around.
Yup, the sins we commit trying to make stuff work.
You can get another bracket, which still might have fitment problems, or make a spacer to sit in there.
As for the rear mount on the compressor, don't sweat it. Mine's looked the same every time I've installed an A6. Get the front lined up and loose, then just insert a bolt through there and tighten that back one last. It'll pull together. It's just to stop the tail of the compressor from wagging around.
I’m figuring on the rear mount that I would mostly just add a spacer to take up the space - I’m just looking to make sure the pulleys line up which it appears they do.
Hi tom,
i have that top bracket, unaltered original if you can’t find one, $40 plus shipping, I have PayPal, thanks.
Thanks, I appreciate the offer Nick. The car is just a driver and the pulleys appear to line up I’ll probably just throw in a spacer to make up the difference.
July 16th, 2020, 06:45 PM
