Shimming Sanden AC compressor to clear intake?

[sigchuck]

Hi guys, I recently went with a different intake on my 1983 911. The prior owner had installed a Griffiths/Kuehl compressor/bracket set which I would like to keep, but one of the bolt heads on the back of the compressor housing is hitting the outside intake stud for the number 4 cylinder.

The compressor has a double row pulley, and previously the belt rode in the groove nearest the back of the car.

I loosened the compressor from the "cradle" that mounts to the bracket that adjusts for belt tension. I can't mess with the positioning of the bracket that adjusts for tension, but it does look like I can laterally shim the compressor away from the engine (push it closer to the rear of the car) in the cradle about 6-7mm using washers and possibly longer bolts and I'll have enough clearance. It also looks like I can use the groove closest to the front of the car with this arrangement and keep the belt aligned with the crank pulley. I'm also able to close the decklid without interference between the pulley side of the compressor and the lid.

I'm probably overthinking this to no end, but wanted to ask whether anyone sees any issues with my proposed solution. Thanks in advance!

[walt]

I had a similar issue and just used some spacers between the bracket and compressor and then some longer bolts for hold down. This keeps the compressor in the same relative position just elevated. I had to find a slightly longer belt. Not sure if this will work for you or not mine was not a Sanden.

[sigchuck]

Thanks, Walt - that's a great idea I hadn't considered. As tough as it was to unbolt the compressor from the cradle, I hadn't considered going a step further and unbolting the cradle from the adjustment plate and raising it. I'll take a look at that approach as I think it might require less shimming upward to clear the intake stud than it would outward.

[walt]

Measure your pulley center to center before and after shims. Use this to approximate your change in belt length. May not be necessary if your only moving a small amount.

[Coastr]

Watch your decklid to pulley clearance if you go moving things about. It’s usually pretty tight. Remember the motor can torque upwards and backwards on the mounts in heavy cornering/acceleration. You don’t want the pulley contacting the decklid in that situation.



I used the inside pulley on my install