Hey folks, just looking for an aftermarket A/C bracket that'll clear taller valve covers and fit somewhere near the stock location. It can't bolt to the header bolts, and I'm running a post-1986 intake and heads.

 

It would probably help to know what year/type belt drive and accessory arrangement is involved. There were several variations of brackets, accessory mounts, braces, and drives used between 1982-1992. We don't even know if this is a V-6 or V-8.

 

WHOOPS. Sorry! It's an '84 with the 305 HO, V-belts. And I'm using post-'87 cylinder heads.

 

My guess is that a custom fabrication is going to be necessary. That should include the long, angular brace which would normally connect to an exhaust bolt, and may now have to connect at a head bolt/stud arrangement. Without that angular brace the AC compressor tends to vibrate and fatigue/tear the stamped metal mmounting brackets, and that allows the compressor to flop.

 

Ouch. Alright, thanks - I might see if I can brace it on a second intake bolt or something.

 

Could you install a 3/8-16 stud in the front header flange position and stack a sleeve/nut/washer/nut there to mount the original brace?

 

I actually found a thread regarding this exact problem, with these exact headers - I think Heddman 64886? over in the Exhaust board. The solution is something like this, but basically you just lop off the rear section of the bracket and only use the front flange bolt. You can then flip a stock exhaust stud around (of which I have several new ones, thanks to Dorman for making a useful product for once) and use a nut to tighten the header down and the original bolt head can be used for the A/C bracket (as it needs to be about 1.5" away from the engine to line up the ?A/C drive belt correctly). So it looks like my problem can be solved with parts on hand, which is neat.