Big Block A/C mounting bracket question

[leddzepp]

I am in the process of getting the factory A/C up and running for the summer. When I bought my truck, it was all original except for the exhaust manifolds were replaced with headers. I have gone back to the OEM exhaust manifolds, and have a question about one of the mounting points on the lower A/C support bracket. Is there a "spacer" between the bracket and the manifold? Or does the bracket simply "rest" against a nut that attaches on a short threaded stud (pictured below). If there is a spacer between them, I would assume a longer stud is needed, that extends all the way through the lower A/C bracket, and then a nut is used on the outside of that to secure both the bracket and the exhaust manifold.

Here is a closeup pic of what I am talking about, and a panned out pic, showing a larger view. The short threaded stud is a little rusty, just above the spark plug. Thanks for the help.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

This may help you.

Jim

[99-LS1-SS]

It looks like the gap is where a stud bolt would go.

[leddzepp]

Thanks for the pic Jim. It looks like a longer stud should go there so that it comes all the way throught the A/C bracket.

I pulled the short stud out today, and guess what...? It runs through a water jacket I ended up with antifreeze all over the floor. Now I have to drain the block down past that point, and let it dry out. I am just going to get a regular manifold bolt, cover it in RTV, and re-install it. I should have just left it alone to begin with, the A/C bracket worked fine before. If I had known it ran through a water jacket, I would never have removed the stud. Oh well, live and learn

[Livrat]

That would cause me a bit of concern as I am fairly certain that stud/bolt should not go into a water jacket,
Well... at least none of the many big blocks I have owned over the years ever had the front exhaust manifold mounting location go into water.

[leddzepp]

It does cause me concern...I have never run across such a thing either. I took the stud out, and it was not an extended length or corroded or anything that would lead me to believe it punched through something It came out fairly easily, I used pliers and did not need blaster or any lube to get it out. It did not start leaking water immediately, just as I popped it out at the end. As soon as I threaded it back in, the leak stopped until of course I fired the truck up and then it proceeded to drip under pressure. When I threaded in a new longer stud, it threaded in easily, and went in very deep with no problem or resistance leading me to believe I was in a water jacket. I know I did not punch through anything (at least i dont think I did) because I threaded it by hand easily. So now, I just used a regular manifold bolt with sealant to see if that stops the leak. If not, it looks like I will need new heads

[hdff]

Leddzepp on your original set up with headers what kind of bolt was used for the lower a/c bracket. With oem manifolds it looks like the bolt used is a bolt with a stud off the head of the bolt. I have headers with header bolts, the PO did not install the brackets for the a/c. I am wanting to get the original brackets back on to get the ac going, I am just trying to figure out what kind of bolt I need to use and if I need to try to find an original bolt. This is on a big block. Also is there 8 or 9 brackets needed? The truck and car shop cat only shows 8 . Thanks

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I am in the process of getting the factory A/C up and running for the summer. When I bought my truck, it was all original except for the exhaust manifolds were replaced with headers. I have gone back to the OEM exhaust manifolds, and have a question about one of the mounting points on the lower A/C support bracket. Is there a "spacer" between the bracket and the manifold? Or does the bracket simply "rest" against a nut that attaches on a short threaded stud (pictured below). If there is a spacer between them, I would assume a longer stud is needed, that extends all the way through the lower A/C bracket, and then a nut is used on the outside of that to secure both the bracket and the exhaust manifold.

Here is a closeup pic of what I am talking about, and a panned out pic, showing a larger view. The short threaded stud is a little rusty, just above the spark plug. Thanks for the help.