Hoping for help with A/C Bracket Problem..

[Already Gone]

Wondering if firstly anyone has run into a problem like this and of course if so what was the fix. Pictured is the original A/C bracket on the 350 from my 72. The pic of the clean engine is the one going into the truck another small block. Using an original water pump too. Does have any idea why the A/C bracket will not line up. Exhaust manifold is exact same thickness as the original one that was cracked. We are at wits end with this.

[68 P.O.S.]

Comparing pics, the 1st one appears to have no space between the manifold at #2 cylinder and bracket. The other pics show what looks like to me, a spacer in there creating the gap between the manifold and bracket. Why is that gap there?

[tutone]

I agree. The pump bracket and the pump cannot be different. Those are in the same place on all sbc motors. If the bracket is the same exact one as in the 1st pic, your problem is in the manifold bracket..For whatever reason, the second bracket isn't different, the you have a clearance issue there. Even with that spacer mentioned above, it looks like that's alot to overcome.

[jocko]

Greg, does it need a spacer between the backside of the bracket and the exhaust manifold on the rear bracket attach point? That's something that could have easily been missed when removing the bracket & manifold (maybe). Seems that would allow it to be a little further outward and not impinge on the manifold when you try to line it up with the fwd hole. Kinda hard to tell though.

[jocko]

new exh manifold type of gasket that is thicker than the originals?? (doesn't appear that could cause this much misalignment though). Is the parting line of the bracket at 90 deg to the backside of the front bracket?

You mentioned the exh manifold is same thickness as original - where did you measure? To me it seems like closer to the rear bracket attach point is what is causing the the misalignment - i.e. wondering if it's ("it" being the new exh manifold) thicker there than original (by thicker, I mean further from the head).

[tutone]

Agree with Jocko. If this is a spacer, try removing it and putting it on the back of the bracket where it bolts on there. It will change your angle, how much, who knows.

[Smitty]

Seems like the removal of the spacer on the front. And instead used on the back mount would kick it into line. Don't have a/c so just speculating. Looks like alignment wouldn't suffer. Let us know what finally works.

[tim71]

I don't know if it's just the camera angle, but those new manifolds look as though they are different from your originals. The originals look as though they sit higher than the replacements. Originals look like they are higher than the valve cover rails, while the replacements look lower than the valve cover rails. Not sure of the effect of this unless it makes that AC bracket fit differently against the manifold.

[mr.mud1]

it looks like,unless i'm not seeing it correctly,in the first picture,the mount bracket appears to be flush to the exhaust manifold and in the picture of the same bracket on the new engine,looks like a hex head on the stud between the mount bracket and the manifold,making it to where it won't line up for the next bracket to attach,although i just went to the shop to look at my 67 Impala wagon with a 327 and A/C.it has a similiar stud with a hex head,not a spacer so you can tighten the manifold before attaching the mount bracket,but no spacer on the rear bolt on the mount.ii took a picture of mine but too hard to see it with the compressor in the way.in your picture of the old motor,that first bolt through the bracket and manifold is a bolt,not a stud,then a stud with the hex on it,on the new engine. also what about that bracket across the front of the head,at that uppermost bolt hole in the bracket,there isn't a hole in the head to bolt it to?there woundn't have been a threaded hole in the head on the old motor either at that location?

[Accelo]

Swap the old manifold in the new motor. Bet it lines up.
Refinish old manifold, install and move on.

[chewychevy67]

Originally Posted by Accelo

Swap the old manifold in the new motor. Bet it lines up.
Refinish old manifold, install and move on.

The old manifold I believe was cracked. Not sure if he mentioned that. Dang rams are prone to that over time. My passenger side was cracked as well

[Accelo]

The plot thickens with more information.
The SBC never came with exhaust manifold gaskets.
I would remove them That might be 1/2 the distance you need.
You could even surface the manifold, for flatness, and gain a few more thousands.
Report back on the possible spacer others pointed out.
Grind some clearance into the bracket on the manifold side.
Hopefully that will get your project going.
Cheers

[Already Gone]

Thanks for all the replys and I'll post if we get it figured out.

[YellowK5]

The nut holds the bracket and the manifold..No nut between them

[Already Gone]

Got her figured out ,thanks for the help everyone.

[mr.mud1]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Got her figured out ,thanks for the help everyone.

good deal,i thought that hex head in there might be causing you trouble,also i thought about what i said about how there wasn't a hole in the head for the bolt hole in the top of that bracket across the front of the head but that's a threaded hole i think and there for more of the compressor hardware,all good,you da man!!

[CG]

Arent you going to tell us what the fix was?

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by CG

Arent you going to tell us what the fix was?

A little trimming in a few different places.