Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999
Hi Glenn:
I have recently transplanted to Arkansas, and knew that by coming here I would be putting A/C in my '62 P1800. Well, here it is almost the end of summer, and I am finally getting around to doing it. I got a new Sanden compressor from Vintage Air and a bracket that mounts the compressor to the old York bracket. Also got a new drier from them with a little bracket to mount it. My condensor is the 12" x 18" universal one that J.C. Whitney sells, and with a little careful modification to the steel frame that surrounds the condensor, I was able to get it fastened in front of the radiator. Next step is to get a later model radiator and put a four-row core in it. I am going to follow your lead and put an electric fan out in front, too.
I have the bracket for the idler pulley that mounts to passenger side of engine but no idler pulley. Do you know of a generic pulley assembly that has the adjusting eccentric that would work? I would like to buy new if possible. Also, were the two head bolts that are used to mount that bracket longer than the other head bolts? The reason I ask this is that it appears that when the two bolts are removed and the bracket is set on top of head it touches the top of intake manifold, which does not allow the bracket to "mate" flush to the head. It appears that some sort of 1/8" or so spacer would have been needed under that bracket in order to keep it off the manifold and allow the bolts to be torqued down at assembly.
Thanks and keep em' rollin'
Jim B.
Jim - Sounds like you're almost air-conditioned. Hope there is still some summer left for testing when you get done. The original idler pulley assembly is a well-made unit, and I would recommend buying a used one from Don Thibault (http://www.p1800.com) or another vintage Volvo specialist. The bearing is the only part of the assembly that wears out, and it is available new at any bearing supply shop. (Might as well change it before installing.) The assembly is made of steel, and may be cleaned and refinished to look new. I believe the two head bolts that hold the bracket are indeed a little longer. I went to a local bolt supplier to replace these when I rebuilt the engine. I noticed, as you have, the slight protrusion of the intake manifold under the idler pulley bracket. My solution was to file off the small amount of metal from the intake manifold needed for clearance. As I remember, the pulley bracket has a hole for a water pump bolt, and shimming might move this hole out of alignment. -Glenn.