A/C Compressor Removal

[Harry]

Hello.  Wonder if anyone can share some experience/instructions for removing the old piston type A/C compressor from a 1966 230SL?  I want to pull it and the bracket to make a change to the Sanden and generally revamp the system.

Thanks very much,
Harry

[ja17]

Harry, you can go two different routes. One is to mount the Sanden below with the Sanden adapter using the same original "monster bracket". Some creativity with the hoses, new hoses or adapters may be needed. The other route is to use the sedan bracket (much smaller and is easily removable) and mount the compressor above. The second solution is a lot more work and requires some additional parts. Some say a new "parallel flow" condenser is best used with the new compressor? Not sure about that.

[Harry]

Thanks Joe.  When you say sedan bracket, what am I looking for specifically, i.e. model and year of the sedan.  And, if yhe compressor is mounted on top, does the alternator not have to be relocated?

[ja17]

Sedans of the era, W108, W114 (6cyls gasoline, late 60's and early 70's) used a simple top mount bracket. It was held on by three bolts. The low hood line of the SL would not allow use of this set-up with the tall York reciprocating compressor, so the monster bracket was used on the SL. All W113 cars without AC had the alternator mounted low on the engine. With the monster bracket, the alternator was moved to the top. With the compact Sanden type rotary compressor, there is ample room for a top mounted compressor, and the alternator is left in its original position below. Other minor changes must be made.