[3D914]

sstine9,

Here are my notes on the AC system (this was edited for corrections):

I'm using the following:

Sanden 505 compressor with adapter
Mounting bracket
DPD condensor
VPC controls, hoses, etc.

If you have the VPC system, it has a swing bracket that pivots on a long bolt. Loosen whatever belt adjustments you have, then use two wrenches to loosen the nut on this bolt. The bolt should slide toward the back of the engine. This will free up the compressor. Just be sure to tie it off with some wire or heavy-duty plastic ties temporarily.

If you have the mounting system for the DPD version, you'll have to remove the compressor via the secondary mounting plate. It has bolts that are accessable from the bottom and outside the compressor. There is also an adjustment bolt at the top near the fan housing, but I can't tell if this needs to come out or not.

I ended up using 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 on two very long hex sleeves.

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 has 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.

The DPD condensors can have two "scoops", but not all that I've seen do. One, which points forward, collects air thru about 1/3 the coils. The second, which points backwards, is the exhaust for the fan. The VPC only has one - the forward one.

If you're missing either, they are quire easy to fabricate with some 1/16-3/32 scrap sheet metal about 3in wide, a vice, and a 2lb hammer.

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 pulled all old hoses and clamps. The old hoses have to be replaced as I'm staying with R12, and don't want any leaks. Believe it or not these old hoses were designed to "breathe." I had my shop do the hose install, as it requires a special crimping tool for the new hose fittings - which are easier to install
once the hoses are run and cut to size.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need further details.