Vintage Air Question

[gag1025]

My alternator is located on the passenger side. Most of the trucks you see have the AC compressors located on that side with the alternator located on the driver side. I know that they do this to make the engine compartment look better with the hoses going straight through the firewall to the compressor rather than having to run longer hoses all the way across (front or back) to the compressor if it is located on the driver side. My question is how much trouble is it to swap the locations of the alternator and compressor. I assume (a poor choice of word but the only one I could think of at the moment) that the only thing you have to do is change brackets. Who makes a bracket kit to do this or do I just have to order individual brackets? I looked through the Jegs catalog but could not find anything (unless I missed it which is possible). I will buy a Vintage Air system the first of the year but want to make the necessary changes before I do. Thanks for any and all help. The good thing about this forum is that when you submit a question you get answers from many who have done this as well as others who are doing it.

[Highsider]

This may get you started.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=547089

[_Ogre]

the va kit will come with enough hose and a bracket to mount the ac on the pass side.
i'd find a junkyard bracket to move your alternator to the drivers side.

[OrrieG]

I have early rams horn manifold with the generator bracket on the driver side. I made a mount to work with the long water pump engine (350 with alt originally on the passenger side). I am making my own ac bracket. If you want the compressor on the drivers side you need to get the inside for task force but engine stuff for later model truck. you can go to the VA site and download the install manual for both and see how they would work together. If my memory is working the later truck run the hoses from the passenger side of the firewall, along the inner panel and under the pulleys to the AC. I looked at that but decided it was easier to move the alternator since I already had the exhaust manifold with the bracket.

[Russell Ashley]

I got this one from my Vintage air dealer. A longer belt might allow the alternator to be a little lower and more symetrical with the compressor but it is like it is for now.

[gag1025]

I forgot to include that this is a 1953 Chevy Truck. One option I am going to do later on (a couple of years) will be to put a Serpentine system on it which will solve all the problems.

[gag1025]

Ogre. A friend just told me where there is a Chevy with a SB engine and the alternator is on the driver side. It is in a parts yard. Thanks.

[thelonerife]

I have 72 brackets for the alt on mine. My brackets for the a/c came with the kit. I am running a short wp

[gag1025]

My brackets for the a/c came with the kit.

Thanks. Which kit did you use?

[Scottshotrods]

You can keep your alt the way it is now.Vintage air can offer there kit anyway you need it.

We are dealer for them and can save you some $$$$$

Let us know if we can help you out any?

Justin

[gag1025]

Thanks Justin. My plan is to mount the VA Compressor on the passenger side and move the alternator to the driver side because I believe it will look neater. If I put the compressor on the driver side I will have to run longer hoses across or under the engine. To me this will not look as good. I will definately get in touch with you when I install the VA system. My plans are to do this the first of the year.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Scottshotrods

You can keep your alt the way it is now.

why would you want to do that?
just because you can, doesn't mean you should

[Scottshotrods]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

why would you want to do that?
just because you can, doesn't mean you should

Vintage air offers there kit to work with the alt on d/s or p/s.

Alot of people are looking for the simplest way to do there install.
We have sold several ac kits to memebers on this site who have there alt on on p/s of the motor.They did not want to change it over to the d/s and have there comp on the p/s.

The comp on the p/s of the motor will make it look alot cleaner to route the ac lines of the comp to the ac evap kit under the dash.

Keep in mind this is a option for all who have a alt on the p/s of the motor.

Justin

[gag1025]

Thanks Justin. I agree. You are correct in that it would be so much easier to simply route the hoses to the driver side and I agree that it looks much nicer to route the hoses to the passenger side. I have a long water pump so that makes it even more difficult. Now all I have to do is find a junk vehicle with a 350 engine, LWP, with the compressor on the driver side. My friend who I am help rebuild my truck indicated that he may know where one is. But anyone on here who would like to post different Chevys that fit this description please feel free to post a list. It would make things much easier.

[hp1957]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

why would you want to do that?
just because you can, doesn't mean you should

I agree with Ogre. I'm automotive service tech. Do it right the first time. Mount your A/C Comp. on passenger side & Alt. on driver side. Wrecking yards have the brackets you need or buy new brackets.

Harvey

1957 Chevy Stepside
1958 GMC Fleetside C4 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...65#post5510465

[wutnxt]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

why would you want to do that?
just because you can, doesn't mean you should

Words well spoken.....it made me lol

[Scottshotrods]

Lets all be clear here on this topic.Scotts Horods is not sayiing you should leave your alt on the p/s at all.We are saying you can leave it this way if you do not want to convert it over to the d/s of the motor.

Yes it looks alot better with the alt on the d/s and the ac comp on the p/s of the frame.


Justin

[Speedbumpauto]

If you're going to do a serpentine anyway, you could put them both on the pass side. I used the stock alt stuff and fabricated a few brackets for the A/C compressor and added an idler pulley. It's clean and keeps all the stuff off the top of the engine so you can enjoy it. Mines a BB but the holes you have to work with are the same. Only drawback on mine is you can't use a mechanical fuel pump, but I'm EFI anyways.

[OrrieG]

Alan Grove has brackets for just about any application, ubber expensive but will give you ideas on what you can do. Tight to the block, vertical for rods, layed out wide for trucks, pulley, surpentine, etc.

[wildearp]

Bills Bracket Co. sold by Speedway Motors makes at least two styles of affordable brackets. These are all I will use. They are a very simple and clean design.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/search...-brackets.html

I dislike the alan grove brackets because they are expensive and ugly. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/search...-brackets.html

[solidaxel]

Bills Brackes for me, on all my hot rods !!!