A/C Setup

Nick_Ko · 03-23-2000, 01:36 PM

Does anyone know how the A/C drive pulley was set up? What all did that consist of parts wise? How would one go about installing the setup?

I'd like to buy an A/C drive setup if anyone has one they don't want. (Same for the [non A/C] center console and the hinged box that replaced the tray between the seats...)

JP Noonan · 03-23-2000, 03:26 PM

The pulley is about 5" dia. and replaces the 1.5" dia. spacer that is between the fan and the fan hub. The belt then goes between the block and the fan housing to the compressor that is attached to the motor on the battery side, the compressor faces the back of the car. A chunk of the engine shelf needs to be cut out, several 1" dia holes need to be cut though out the car, and a HUGE hole is cut in the front trunk floor pan to allow air to reach the condensor. I had a copy of the dealer install guide, it is a real hack job. Look around the net, I think someone figured out a way to mount the compressor on top of the fan housing. It would be easier with a rotory (Sanden???) compressor rather than the York/mini-york piston types. That way you don't loose cooling air around the hole in the engine shelf.

BTW the pulley is very hard to find. Mostly, I think, because people sell of the A/C but leave the pulley on. I imagine there are quite a few 914's without A/C that still have the pulley because if you remove the pulley you need to put the spacer (that was thrown away at install) back on the fan hub.

Jim Osborn · 03-23-2000, 04:22 PM

Uh, I don't have a spacer. I never had the spacer. Is that bad? It works fine without it.

------------------
---The night time is the right time---
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1973 Porsche 914 HO2.0L Black/Black
1973 Porsche 914 No engine or tranny Silver/black haven't decided whether to make this a car or use it as a parts car
1968 Camaro RS White/Black currently on the back burner until I get out of school.
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mkinne · 03-23-2000, 07:34 PM

Speaking of A/C...

I have complete system for sale. Removed it from my car about 3 years ago. Was working at the time. Just wanted my front trunk space back. Yes, I did remove the drive pulley (had to fabricate a spacer).

Details and pic available. If anyone interested, let me know. Have no idea what it is worth. Just want to get it out of the garage. Maybe you have something I need?

- Matt
New email: mmkinne@email.msn.com

JP Noonan · 03-23-2000, 10:08 PM

The spacer is only about 1/8" thick. It have four holes in it, 3 are for the three bolts holding the fan to the hub, 1 is for the key that aligns the fan on the hub (keeps the timing marks oriented).

Without the spacer you have mis-alignment be-tween the alt. and the fan pulley. I can't beleive you don't have belt problems, but then again belts are made a lot better than in the 70's. I guess it doesn't matter.

Patrick · Patrick's Garage

The pulleys aren't that hard to find - late busses and Vanagons ran a similar pulley into the early 80's. Check a local VW shop/junkyard - there were a lot of Vanagons with A/C. Also, with regard to the bracket, there is a one that is sold by A/C shops to convert front engine water coolers from piston to rotary. This bracket can be modified to work in the 914. My brother and I both did it. Its basically a plate with two C-shaped mounts for the compressor to sit on. You have to break off the mounts and weld them in a different place on the plate. Neither of us had to cut our engine shelf at all and we're both running Sanden compressors.

kevinseven · 03-24-2000, 03:18 PM

Do those of you with AC know if you have to drop the fuel tank or engine to get the system installed?

Would you consider it a weekend job or a month long endeavour. AA told me they would do the whole deal for around $2500. Sounds a bit steep, but if the install is beyond the average weekend mechanic's skill, a few grand could be a bargain.

oredith · 03-24-2000, 03:48 PM

Hi Kevin,
you've got to ask yourself how much you're willing to sacrefice for the AC. Aside from the 2.5k AA wants to charge you (which is WAY too steep, does that include ALL the parts?), there's a bunch of other factors to consider. Things like loosing some of the precious little HP the 914's got due to the pulley driven compressor. Having holes put in all throughout the body to run the AC lines (some of which will no doubt end up exposed at the front tire well, subject to punctures by road debris), and the worst part, a HUGE hole put in the front trunk for the AC condensor.. you'll loose some leg clearance room for the dash attachment for the AC as well, and if you've got an existing center console, it'll have to be modified to fit..

SO.. if you've got the bucks, and are willing to put up with the above mentioned stuff.. go for it.. i spent last summer in Atlanta, and the AC in the GA Tech dorms never stopped, but i think i'd still opt for the top-down, natural ventallation as opposed to the butchery that's associated with AC (i'm still trying to patch up the hole in my front trunk from the PO's AC)

just my $0.02

Jeff