A/C belt - where to find one?
 

I have located/aquired all the parts to refurbish my AC. I'm using the following:

Sanden compressor with adapter
Mounting bracket
VPC condensor
DPD controls, hoses, etc.

I have not yet located a source for the compressor belt. I suspect the size will be different than that used with the piston compressors. Searching here yielded zip.

Any ideas on belt size & where I can locate one (or two)?

TIA,

All belts are measured in inches and "v" pitch. Belt should ride within pulley, with belt near or equal to surace of groove in pulley.

Take a measuring tape and measure around the two pulleys. Go to an AP store and get a belt slightly at or under your measurement. The pitch of the belt will be a guess based on the width at the top of the pulley and trial and error.

A local "mom & pop" operation will probably cooperate more than a mass merchandizer (and will probably have more knowledge & perhaps a belt measuring device).

If you can buy a stock belt, it will go a long way to get closer to what you need by finding out if it needs to be longer or shorter to fit your application.

Hey can you take a photo of your compressor and it's mounting bracket? I am in the process of looking for a sanden compressor and bracket for my 914.


Thanks
Kerry

Va914,

I'm picking those parts up Wednesday. I'll check on availabilty and cost for you, get some pics, and post them here.

Regards,

Any update on the parts? Did you pick them up yet?

If you can let me know here or vis e-mail I would be very thankful

Va914@hotmail.com

Thanks:D

Va914,

Sorry for the delay, but it took quite a while to get all this stuff to fit properly. I was under the impression that it just bolted up - duh -I don't think so!

Anyhow, I ended up with a mounting bracket that has the swing-arm design from the VPC kit. This is the kit originally installed on my 914. This bracket provides better adjustment for the belt tension. Make sure you get the idle arm that accompanied this. The back of belt rides on the idle arm to apply additional tension. It mounts just in front of the oil filter.

I also swapped out the condensor up in the front trunk for one from the DPD kit as it has a stronger fan and moves more air over the coils. It haas the large conical cap to house the fan and serve as a restraint for the spare tire. The other one uses a squirrel-cage fan, and just doesn't move enough air IMHO.

I went with the Sanden 505 compressor. It came with a bracket that needed some cutting and re-drilling to get things to line up properly. The belt had to be custom fit once things were in place. I ended up with one from a FLAPS. Its produced by DAYCO and is their heavy duty Dynaflex, size - 15485. The 485 designates 48.5 inches. It was a good fit, and didn't require much adjustment.

I forgot to get pictures when it was out of the car, but its up on stands right now (trying to sort out FI problems), so I'll try and get some.

My next task is to pull all the hoses to get replacements made and new fittings as needed, then hook everything up. Then maybe I can "chill out."

I somehow misplaced my receipt for the parts, but I remember the used bracket being $50.00 and the Sanden compressor/bracket was around $275.00.

If you like you can contact Don Jackson Enterprises in Phoenix here at (602)-997-2785, as I bought the parts through him.

Let me know if I can help further.

Regards,

Gerard,

Does the Sanden compressor mount below the engine sheet metal, or do you have to cut the metal as with the old York compessor? What refrigerant do you plan to use? I have a DPD system that I would like to modify for a contemporary rotary compressor and use 134 refrigerant.

Mike

Mike,

It mounts in basically the same position, so sheet metal (if not already so) would have to be cut to make room for it. Its not as tall as the York or as heavy. I also had to trim up about an 1-1/4 of the engine shelf as described in the installation instructions I bought from AA.

I'm planning on staying with R12, as local experience here in Phoenix indicates the 134 just won't cut it with this older system. Keep in mind the compressor is new, but the condensors aren't, nor are the evaporators.

Hope this helps.

Be cool!

Gerard, Thanks for the info. My plan (preliminary that is) was to update the compressor and possibly the condenser plus renew the hoses. You are right about the evaporator though. I wonder how many seals or o-rings may not be R134 compatible and require replacement?

Mike

Mike,

You'll have to beat the bushes a little more to find out. I have not pursued that possibility, so I don't have a diffinitive answer. Good luck, and keep us posted on the results.

I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of results I get, but it may be a couple of weeks still as I'm tracing down a FI problem with my MPS/ECU ground.

Regards,

Mike, if you are updating the compressor and the hoses, you will be getting at almost all the o-rings by doing that. There's probably just one more on the expansion valve. Just collect up your old o-rings and go to a parts store (I went to Pep-boys). They have assortments of HBNR (I think) green o-rings that are 134a compatible. Just match them up with the old ones and you will be all set.

The evaporator size is probably OK for 134a (it's not really as critical), but the condensor might be a problem.

Gerard and James, Thanks for the suggestions. I do not plan to try this immediately, but am just trying to figure out what I need to do when I do get around to it. When I see a thread about AC I figure it's a chance to learn something. Besides the compressor, I would like to upgrade the condenser and am trying to figure out a way to do so and still save some front trunk volume.

Mike

Mike,

FYI - the VPC style condensor has a lower profile (about 6.0 in from bottom of trunk to bottom of spare tire) than the DPD version (about 8.5in), but as noted earlier moves less air.

Regards,