Water pump in, next A/C Bracket

[ncsurfer]

I replaced the water pump with a long neck version(thanks for all the great advice), but now I need to take the A/C bracket off to get at the short hose coming off of the water pump housing.
 I have most of the visible bolts off of the front of the A/C bracket except the lowest one and I have the bolt on the top side of the bracket.  My question is: Do I need to take the A/C bracket off without taking the A/C compressor off of the bracket, or should I take the compressor off the bracket and then the bracket itself?

[ncsurfer]

Also, how do I get at the bottom bolt on the front of the bracket?
Thanks.....

[Benz Dr.]

Not sure what you have in mind but I suppose everything would be easier to work on without the weight of the AC pump. Removing the AC bracket just to get at the short hose or chain tensioner is one of the least attractive jobs on the whole car; relative to lots of jobs that aren't that much fun.

[ja17]

I usually leave the compressor on the bracket since the bolts holding the compressor to the bracket are difficult to get to also. But the assembly is heavy and very awkward.  You may be able to get to the front lower bolt through a factory hole in the vibration dampner  Just turn the engine to line up the hole. There is a single nut on a stud between the AC bracket and the block. It is difficult to get to. Also I presume you got the 17mm head bolt in the recess of the bracket which attaches to the front of the cylinder head? This is one of two which attach to the cylinder head. The other is a 19mm head bolt which is above the 19mm head bolt.

[ncsurfer]

Joe, thank you so much. I would have never thought about turning the dampner. I just could not see a way to get at the lower bolt. Yes, I think I got the 17mm bolt you are talking about if you mean the one on the side of the head. I will check again in the morning if it is not. Thanks......

[ja17]

There is a 17mm on the front of the head also. It is just belowand to the left of the 19mm. It is hidden in a recess.

[ncsurfer]

I also found what I think, are 2 12mm bolts to the block and bracket, but I do not have a wrench that will fit into the space. Joe, are these 12mm? I they are, I will buy a 12mm swivel head socket wrench to get at them. Thanks.....

[ja17]

If those are the ones down on the side, low, between the compressor and the block, they should be 13mm head if original.

[ncsurfer]

Thank you Joe, you are the best!!!!!

[ja17]

Be careful to seal all those bolt threads going into the block during re-assembly or you may have a leak!

[ncsurfer]

I used an aluminum, copper, graphite anti-seize compound on the bolts going into the water pump and block. Should I use the same for all the A/C bracket bolts going into the block as well? Thanks...

[ja17]

Normally a sealing compound like Permatex, or a gasket shellac is used for sealing bolt threads.

[ncsurfer]

Will do thanks.....

[ncsurfer]

Joe, Should I have used Permatex on the water pump bolts as well?
Also, I have the A/C bracket off and I am considering replacing the compressor with an up dated smaller compressor. Can you suggest one and would I need a different A/C bracket?
Thanks....