engine and drivetrain A/C removal questions

[okartguy]

I spent most of the afternoon unbolting and removing the disconnected a/c system on my '76. I'm in the process of putting the car back together, after removing the radiator and associated components to get at the condensor etc.

I unbolted the entire compressor bracket, and I'm wondering if I need to replace the bolts that secured the top of the bracket up underneath the exhaust manifold. Surely these don't seal off an oil or coolant passage?

Also, it seems to me that I should expect better cooling, now that the radiator is open to the front of the car. Is this correct?

I do know that I'm very happy with the newfound space and reduced clutter in the engine bay! If any of you need the removed components, drop me a line. I'll let'em go for shipping costs. TIA-

[okartguy]

So I got the radiator bolted back into position, and now when I spin the fan it's making light contact with the bottom edge of the radiator. WTF? The fan pulley assembly is bolted down tight, as is the radiator to the core support. The motor mounts are good.

How much clearance should there be between the fan and the radiator? I'm tempted to run the car as-is, and just let the plastic wear off the tip of the blade that's rubbing. F*cking car.

JJ

[Napes]

Rather than just letting the tip of the fan blade wear off (they can crack in the process) just take a fine file to the tip and file it down a tad. Leaves a cleaner looking result.

[KFunk]

hey JJ, if ithey're pretty clean, I'd be happy to claim the A/C parts, minus the compressor. I think I'll go with a Sanden 508 when I get around to it.

lemme know, my email is kfunk at hawaii.edu

[Mike Self]

1. The four bolts that hold the compressor mount to the block don't go thru the block; they're just threaded in to bosses cast into the block. You can leave 'em off. Don't forget you may need a shorter bolt to replace the one or two that hold the bracket to the water pump...

2. You should have better cooling with the A/C condenser removed

3. The radiator and fan shouldn't touch...if they didn't touch with the A/C in and do now, you put something back together wrong. Check to see if there isn't something between the radiator mounting flanges and the car's body--like a washer, piece of dirt or a small stone. That's all it takes sometimes.

4 Of course don't forget to plug the holes in the firewall and the rad support panel where the A/C hoses went. You can buy plastic or rubber plugs for the purpose.

And if it was a Behr unit, be sure and remove the A/C switch wiring whre it plugs into the heater wiring--Behrs are wired so the heater blower won't work if the A/C is on, so you have to put the heater blower wires back the way they were...

cheers

mike