MikeM

When I mentioned this alternator location in post #4, I excluded the possibility of PS.

This alternator location will not interfere with the air cleaner or the S tube.

I'll look at my car in a few and see if anything else might be in the way but I don't think so.

wmf62

Mike
i agree. but IF he can find a way to mount the compressor on top, then he would still have the option of PS when he gets decrepit like me..

Bill

Procrastination Racing

Back in 1976 I think, a guy named Bob Patterson in East Alton, IL had factory air in a '63 coupe with the factory FI setup. I don't know which was original to the car, or if either were original to it, but he had them both in there.

I can't remember how the alternator and air cleaner was handled. I thought I had some old pictures around but I haven't found them.

wmf62

Mike
here's an option from alan grove. my Vega's a/c compressor was mopunted stock down low like this; downside is that it is more subject to getting wet or road debris.



Bill

VetteJohn

After looking at this thread I Googled “driveshaft mounted alternator” and was lead into discussion on one of the Mopar sites. One of the guys there was looking into using a “small” alternator from a Toyota or Nissan. I’m not sure how must clearness you have on the driver’s side but maybe you get a bracket made to fit one of the rice burner units.

1965fuelie

You could try finding an electric AC compressor. Could be mounted everywhere you find a room for it.

http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/elec...ompressor.html

Texaspilot180

Not enough room between the alternator and the frame with a stock alternator.

Texaspilot180

Only problem with FI car is the big oil pan, can't have PS even you are old and decrepit, which is how I feel every time I crawl out from under the thing.

Texaspilot180

Good info George, I'll do some more digging to see what might work.

Thanks!

Texaspilot180

Starting to look like a different air cleaner like you used might be the solution.

Texaspilot180

I think what I'll do is put the car back together without AC compressor for now, and once everything is all back in place then explore where space actually exists to add the AC compressor or move the Alternator to make room. Not ready to start buying brackets and experimenting right now, lots of other stuff to finish first. Once car is up and running I'll take it over to the CnC place I found as they are fabricators and have them figure the best way to mount the AC unit. Doesn't look like it will be an easy task to accomplish given the limited space to work with.

wmf62

no, but you could do the power box conversion rather than use the rickety stock type hydraulic ram.
Bill

vettsplit 63

I think there would also be interference between the idler pulley assy and the way the alternator mounts low like that. The idler uses the bolt at the bottom front on that side.

wmf62

the idler pulley is not necessary, the 'right sized' belt will engage the water pump pulley and the crank pulley without the need for the idler tensioner.
Bill

wmf62

anyways...

Jeff, keep cool and keep working; where there is a will, there is a way... if i can help, let me know...


Bill

Texaspilot180

Roger that - no need to sweat it... until it hits 105 outside... maybe I really don't need AC, which would cause the wife to stay home when I take the 65 out... hmmmmm

MikeM

You may be right and you may have already checked this out. I did go to the trouble of swinging an alternator down close to position and eyeballing. I couldn't get the alternator into position because of the idler I have on my engine.

Looks doable to me but I can't say for sure.

JohnZ

If you use the side-mount '57 F.I.- type air cleaner, you can use all factory brackets to add the A/C, and P/S too (if you change the oil pan or use the Borgeson gear instead of the factory system). If you use a Sanden compressor instead of the factory A-6, Alan Grove (and others) have that bracket set.

wmf62

here's one for only $1850.00...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-...Q5fAccessories

Bill

ps: shipping is only $15

JohnZ

That's allegedly an original, and the original element is another $5K. The repro's are far less, and the replacement element is about ten bucks.