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Sanden AC compressor conversion question

Discussion in '308/328' started by shenbec, Dec 4, 2012.

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  1. shenbec

    shenbec Rookie

    Nov 21, 2003
    14
    #1 shenbec, Dec 4, 2012
    Well while doing a belt change on my 308 I finally decided to get the AC working. Since the compressor is suspect bad, I decided to replace it and while I was at it decided to upgrade to the Sanden compressor instead of another piston compressor. I bought the kit from retroair and it looks to be a pretty nice kit, including the adapter plate and all the hardware required (even new connector ends for the existing AC lines).

    The question I have for those who have done this conversion is what do you do with the lower compressor mounting bracket? The new compressor is only mounted using the upper bracket, so the lower bracket is not needed to mount the compressor, but it is used as a spacer for mounting the AC belt tensioner. I guess I could put the bottom mount back on and just let it hanging there not connected to the compressor (would not look the nicest) or I could fabricate a spacer of the correct thickness to mount the AC belt tensioner (could be as simple as a stack of washers, not the most elegant, but should work).

    I am just wondering what others who have done the conversion have done.

    Thanks and have a great day.

    Chris
    1980 GTB Euro
     
  2. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,453
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    #2 yelcab, Dec 4, 2012
    You are planning on keeping it R12 or go for R134?
     
  3. shenbec

    shenbec Rookie

    Nov 21, 2003
    14
    #3 shenbec, Dec 4, 2012
    It will be 134.
     
  4. cessna

    cessna Karting

    Dec 4, 2008
    226
    Malta
    Full Name:
    Stephen Grech
    #4 cessna, Dec 4, 2012
    Let me know more about such compressor pls.
     
  5. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #5 Crowndog, Dec 4, 2012
    Guys, there is much information about the conversion. Just use the search function and you will find just about everything you wanted and didn't want to know about this topic.
     
  6. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2003
    2,721
    Worcester, MA
    Full Name:
    Michael.C.James
    #6 M.James, Dec 5, 2012
    Well, unless that info relates to the Retro-Air kit, I doubt much of that info applies. The Retro-Air kit comes with its own mounting plate and hardware.

    Oh, By the way.....an important little tidbit I learned from my installation is that the 'claim' of the kit to use the factory A/C belt is NOT TRUE. A special Gates A/C belt is needed to make it work. Depending on the position of the compressor, you need to custom-order the right belt:

    The belt is 11mm wide so you can get the right width of belt, then select a length better suited to the new application is determined with a piece of string around the finished assembly and a 'closest-fit' match made from the Gates belt website.

    Polyflex® Belts at:

    http://www.gates.com/catalogs/file_display.cfm?file=Light-DutyBelts.pdf&thisPath=gates\catalogs&requesting=ptcatalog&location_id=524

    Oh, and the installation instructions SUCK. No drawings/diagrams, no relation to hardware sizes/uses, etc. IKEA offers better directions for a common bookshelf, with a lot less words.
     
  7. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #7 Steve King, Dec 5, 2012
    I thought it was a simple conversion . I didn't get a kit I just pieced it together while searching the net for various options. Sized the compressor and determined the fitting and location. Then searched out 2 different mounting plates. Just typed in York to sanden compressor bracket and up pops different options. I used the one where you adjust the belt tension with the compressor which eliminated the adjustment pulley assembly. The belt was easy by taking the stock belt and cut it to size then take it to NAPA and get one to pretty much match. I used the sanden groove and not the Fcar crank groove that way it wouldn't slip on the compressor. A kit would be good but for this all you need to do is a little research.
     
  8. shenbec

    shenbec Rookie

    Nov 21, 2003
    14
    #8 shenbec, Dec 5, 2012
    Thank you all for your responses.

    I do not know what is up with the search engine. Before posting this I did a search for “sanden conversion” and only got 4 threads, none with useful information. Now doing the same search today I got 64, some with useful information???

    Retro-air has updated their installation instructions (some) but they are still pretty bad and I had to install things a little differently then what they instructed. They said to put two spacers on the bolts that attach the compressor to the mounting bracket. They physically cannot fit where the instructions show them???

    Ironically last night I also discovered that the stock belt is indeed too long. This after buying a brand new stock belt since I was assured from retro-air that the stock belt would work.

    I bought the kit to save some time in trying to procure the “correct” parts and insure the correct compressor with the correct direction clutch, with the correct amount of oil in it, and all that good stuff. Not sure if that was a good move or not.

    Thanks again for your advice.
     
  9. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2003
    2,721
    Worcester, MA
    Full Name:
    Michael.C.James
    #9 M.James, Dec 5, 2012
    Stuff 'fits' with their kit, but not everything as-delivered - did your A/C hoses come with both sets of fittings pre-attached? They won't run down behind the passenger fuel tank and through the rabbit-hole/door-jam-tunnel if they're attached. I had to cut them off and have Retro-Air sent me an un-crimped set. Not the end of the world, but we did waste a couple of hours TRYING.....the rigid lines and condenser are well-engineered, but depending on your geometry up-front, it will take you some time to get the brackets where they need to be so things line-up. Anyone who says a sanden to a york retrofit is just a bracket and a belt hasn't seen the Retro-Air kit.....
     
  10. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #10 Steve King, Dec 5, 2012
    As i mentioned I didn't get a kit but did my own conversion. I cut off my york fittings and found fitting at my local AC shop and crimped them on. I did not replace any hoses. Put in a new dryer and mounted the compressor . Measured a belt and got a new one at NAPA. The major part of the job was the research. After that it was a simple assembly job.
     
  11. firedude308QV

    firedude308QV Karting

    Nov 22, 2007
    116
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Full Name:
    Bill Scott
    #11 firedude308QV, Jul 11, 2016
    I recently purchased the Retroair compressor upgrade kit for my 308 QV. As you may know, the installation instructions are not that detailed.

    Does anyone know where the 3/8" x 1/2" spacer should be installed?


    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks
    Bill
     
  12. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #12 Crowndog, Jul 11, 2016


    My write up was on the small retro-air kit and I did mine based on another members write up on the larger complete kit.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

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