I have a '90 RS 305 and I'm in the middle of installing the hooker 2055 headers on my car and I'm sure some of you know how hard that can be without an A/C delete box on the passenger side, so anyway I was halfway through trying to remove the A/C compressor from it's mounting backing plate that it's attached to via two bolts and a mounting bracket attached near the thermostat housing, and I attempted this with the serpentine belt still on at it's standard tension because I was hoping I could just move the compressor forward a little bit.

I realized after I removed the two bolts connecting the compressor to the backing plate that what was inhibiting the header from sliding into place was the positive cable to the starter so I just unbolted that and slid it into place.

But as I was getting ready to call it a day I attempted to put those bolts back on the compressor and realized that the compressor is out of alignment with the backing plate, it's off by about two or three millimeters.

How can I fix this?

 

I do not have a serpentine belt system, but I will say that I needed to use washers to help with alignment issues like the one you are describing.

On another note: I hope that you are not using the gaskets that came with the headers because they will likely burn out and then leak.... I learned the hard way.... I sucks to have to change them after only 2K mi.....

 

Did you try removing the serpentine belt, loosening the compressor bolts, aligning the compressor, bolting it back down, and reattaching the belt, or did you just bolt it back up with the belt still attached?

 

With the belt attached, never tried loosening it because I don't have a 1/2 inch breaker bar or ratchet, I'll try to get one today.

 

That's going to be your best bet. You really don't want that belt tension on an accessory when trying to bolt it down. Hope that straightens out your problem.

 

Alright, I'm gonna get a breaker bar tonight and I'll attemp to fix it first thing in the morning.

And mnorton I have both percy's deadsoft gaskets and stage 8 locking header bolts, so there shouldn't be a problem with blowing a gasket or with loose bolts.

 

Alright, thanks alot quick, it worked out perfectly. I loosened the belt and the compressor slid right into place.

 

Ah cool, good to hear