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Vintage air compressor installation issues - **solved**
I have a ‘72 with a 350 engine and having issues with installing the compressor. I have the brackets installed, but the compressor is sitting too far back to connect to the water pump and for the belt to align. Surely I’m doing something wrong. Of course I’m trying to complete this project today and Vintage Air isn’t open to get assistance. I thought I would ask you guys to see if anyone with a Vintage Air install can help. Here are a couple photos to show the issue.
Thank you
Keith
Last edited by Hig116; Oct 23, 2023 at 01:14 PM.
Reason: Problem solved
Hig116
Those brackets look almost exactly the same as the brackets for my Sanden aftermarket a/c compressor. Since I wanted to use the forward-most pulley (former smog pump use) I ended up modifying the horizontal bracket to shift the compressor forward and then added a spacer in front to shim it to the appropriate position.
Your alignment does NOT look terribly off..... can you place a straight-edge from compressor pulley groove to water pump pulley groove for a better perspective and show us a picture?
BUT - anyway, if you are willing to modify the bracket it is really quite easy to do..... but make sure you have to first. If you want more hints just ask.
Originally Posted by Hig116
I have a ‘72 with a 350 engine and having issues with installing the compressor. I have the brackets installed, but the compressor is sitting too far back to connect to the water pump and for the belt to align. Surely I’m doing something wrong. Of course I’m trying to complete this project today and Vintage Air isn’t open to get assistance. I thought I would ask you guys to see if anyone with a Vintage Air install can help. Here are a couple photos to show the issue.
Are you 100% positive your water pump is a correct short Corvette water pump?
Was your car an original factory AC car?
When I ordered my Vintage Air kit, if I remember correctly, there were two kits.
One for factory ac cars and one for non factory ac cars.
Mine is for a big block and a factory ac car kit which uses the outside, third grove on the water pump pulley and the brackets are different.
Sorry I can’t be any more help.
I ordered the correct kit. I’m pretty sure the water pump is correct, but even if it isn’t, the compressor needs to com forward to line up with the belts.
the reason I don’t have it bolted to the water pump is because it doesn’t line up. Needs to move forward 3/4” or so.
It looks like you might have the wrong bottom bracket or have it mounted wrong. I have the exact same setup and the rear upper mounting tab should line up with the front of the valve cover. In your pic I see a spacer or something between the mounting tabs. Mine doesnt do that. The lower bracket should be mounted to the bottom mounting tabs. And the front grove on the pump should line up with the front grove of the pulley.
It looks like you might have the wrong bottom bracket or have it mounted wrong. I have the exact same setup and the rear upper mounting tab should line up with the front of the valve cover. In your pic I see a spacer or something between the mounting tabs. Mine doesnt do that. The lower bracket should be mounted to the bottom mounting tabs. And the front grove on the pump should line up with the front grove of the pulley.
Is there any chance you could take a photo for me?
I have a ‘72 with a 350 engine and having issues with installing the compressor. I have the brackets installed, but the compressor is sitting too far back to connect to the water pump and for the belt to align. Surely I’m doing something wrong. Of course I’m trying to complete this project today and Vintage Air isn’t open to get assistance. I thought I would ask you guys to see if anyone with a Vintage Air install can help. Here are a couple photos to show the issue.
It's been over a decade now and I don't remember all the details but I had this same issue when I installed the Vintage Air kit on my '73. I spoke to Vintage Air about it. After describing the problem to them, they sent me a different bracket than the one that came with my kit. I had no issues with that second bracket.
Vintage air compressor installation issues - **solved**
