A/C Hobie bracket installation

[Scottjeffrey]

Hi Mosmon58, I wanted to share some recent considerations. It occurred to me that the correct procedure is that the two 8 mm washers, would have to go behind the bracket at the lower right bolt to offset the motor mount bracket. I think this makes sense. Therefore, I believe I installed mine incorrectly. Trouble is, its locktighted in place, and removing it right now isn't practical. I am tossing back and forth in my head whether the lack of the two washers at the lower right hole will in fact create any meaningful problem with the lining up of the compressor/belt/to crank pulley. My hope is that if there is it is minor resulting perhaps in some measure of accelerated belt wear. When I put the bracket and had to deal wth the motor mount shifting, I removed the bolts already installing the rest of the bracket and noticed the threads on one had flattened a bit, I guess suggesting I had overtightened the first go round. Well they went back in firmly and with lock tight, but the thought of removing them all and finding the bolts unable or worse, the threads in the block unserviceable leads me to give it a try the way it is sans those two washers. Argghhh. Hope you and your car are well.

Best Regards,

Scott

[jgerock]

On 1/6/2019 at 8:35 PM, Scottjeffrey said:

HI Mosman. Is this your lower left bracket bolt hole? Does this pic help you? Note washers on top. This hole also includes the motor mount bracket between the block and the bracket.

Is this your final installation of the bracket and mounting arms?  They are supplied in their raw (steel) form and will rust if you don't paint them.  Before you go any further, I suggest you remove the new pieces and at least prime and paint them.  I bought one of these a few years ago and had the parts powdercoated at the same time as other suspension parts.

[mosman58]

Ok - I’ll recheck mine. I actually took mine off yesterday as I could not get the bolt to start into the motor mount hole - the lower left larger bolt . I did not check the alignment of the plate. I painted my plate and adjustment arms but know they will rub during adjustment..

[Scottjeffrey]

Makes sense right? Make up for the thickness of the motor mount bracket by putting washer BEHIND the  A/C bracket? It was a bit challenging getting that to line up for me too (the motor mount/ac bracket hole-lower right). I usedd some 2x4 to gently lift and lower the engine under the oil pan's lip where it attaches to the block on the passenger side. Good luck there. Hope we can both cross the finish line with our A/C systems working.

Best Regards,

Scott

[Vicleonardo1]

Also, an option for rust protection for my HobieDave bracket, I used POR15. You can get a kit for about $20. (Amazon) It has the cleaner, etcher and more than enough POR15 to coat the bracket and parts. 

Worked really well on my bracket.

Cheers! 

Edited January 13, 2019 by Vicleonardo1

[Scottjeffrey]

POR15 is great stuff. I have used it many times. I decided not to paint the bracket for no real good reason except I know any rust will be superficial till at least 2050 and a combination of laziness and not wanting to die from the POR15, lol.

[mosman58]

Scott

 

Dave - the bracket maker confirmed that the 2 washers do go between the bracket and the block. I was able to get them in without taking the bracket off.

 

yes POR is great stuff - just don’t get any on your hands ?

 

[Scottjeffrey]

Did you loosen all the other bolts to get them in?

 

Edited January 13, 2019 by Scottjeffrey

[mosman58]

A little- but didn’t have to take off - there is a gap so I put the 2 and a long nose pliers was able to get it so I could get the bolt in