Removing A/C system. What is involved?

[GGR]

Hi all,

I'm not a big fan of AC on vintage cars, and even less on "sports" car. I may remove the A/C compressor at the same time I replace the water pump and I would like to know what is involved. At first sight the AC compressor and the alternator are fitted on the same bracket. Are non A/C brackets different? If yes, would a non A/C W110 230 bracket be the same as the Pagoda ones? Will that involve changing pulleys? If yes, would that same W110 230 be a good donor?

Thanks!

[Raymond]

The A/C bracket is built like a Panzer and held on by about 8 bolts with at least two designed to make you speak words that are not for little ears. Once you get the darn thing out, you will need the alternator bracket that repositions the alternator to the bottom. 

If the rest of the system is good, you might consider just replacing the inefficient, vibrating, York compressor with a Sanden 508.  These hi-efficiency rotary compressors reduce engine drag to negligible and vibration to zero.  Then you can have your A/C and lose almost nothing of the horsepower available. 

[GGR]

Thanks. 

[ctaylor738]

The standard alternator bracket is NLA new, according to Gernold. 

But it is used on a bunch of engine families according to the EPC - 114, 127, 130, 180 etc.  So the bracket and adjuster off your 230 should work.

[GGR]

This is what I also discovered on EPC. Thanks! I may also take all the pulleys out of that W110 in case alignments are different.