Author Topic: 230Sl A/C Installation--need help  (Read 4886 times)

George Des

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230Sl A/C Installation--need help
« on: December 12, 2003, 07:34:22 »
Tried this one on the other BB with no response but here goes again.
Tried this one on the other BB but no direct response yet--can any of you guys help out?


Still have not been able to locate a pulley assembly that will allow installation of the A/C to the 230Sl application. I've got all the remaining parts including the compressor bracket. Ray Paul gave me some numbers for the pulley assembly (108-466-04-15 or 108-466-02-15) Inquired about this from Van Diijk but was told it comes with the counterweight--sounds somewhat strange. If anyone has a 230SL w/ A/c installed and can take a good look at the belt/pulley set up pleaase let me know how yours is arranged. I may have to visit the local salvage yard--I know there's a 250SE and 280SE w/a/c sitting out there that I may be able to get this assembly from--not today--we've got 4" snow on the ground! Understand the assembly may have six vice 3 holes but not sure that will matter. Thanks guys--George Des

Benz Dr.

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  • Benz Dr.
Re: 230Sl A/C Installation--need help
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2003, 12:13:24 »
I'd really reconsider the whole idea if I were you.
 I'm completely out of 230SL cranks because they have a tendancy to snap off behind the front pulley. AC only makes the condition worse.
 What I think happens is it somehow comes loose and the dowel pins wear away at the end of the crank. The pulley starts to vibrate and eventually it snaps off. Useing a rotary compressor would help over the regular piston type but I still wouldn't do it.

Dan c

Daniel G Caron
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

ja17

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Re: 230Sl A/C Installation--need help
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2003, 21:09:52 »
Hello George Des.,
You and Jerry P. are working on the same project. Maybe you two can compare notes. I brought this old posting to the front page so you can review it "crank pully for installing A/C".

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
« Last Edit: December 12, 2003, 21:12:43 by ja17 »
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

George Des

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Re: 230Sl A/C Installation--need help
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2003, 21:17:51 »
Thanks for the replies on this. I'm planning on going with a rotatary compressor for more efficency and less vibration. Has anyone with an add on A/C to the 230Sl exeprienced the crankshaft breakage Dr Benz mentions ?  Thanks

George Des

n/a

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Re: 230Sl A/C Installation--need help
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2003, 17:46:51 »
Sorry it has been so long for the update on my a/c instalation.
It is up and working great. no problems at all.
(except of course that it is diffucult to cool a soft top car)
I did use the pully that joe supplied me fit like it was made for it.
as for the bracket i borrowed a bracke from a fried that was supplied by Buds Benz It was a little difficult to reproduce but not imposable. I used a sandon rotory compressor with a little smaller pully. This was to help cooling at idle. I also used an aftermarket underdash unit that goes way up under the dash, it looks and works great. the only thing left for me to do is replace the 3 position switch on my under dash unit. Right now it only works on High.
As for the hoses i went to my local NAPA after every thing was instaled and the parts guy and i spent about 4 hours making and test fitting each one. i forgot to mention that i did have to upgrade my altornator. to a 55amp unit.
 :)  :D  8)

Jerry P.
« Last Edit: December 16, 2003, 17:48:09 by n/a »

George Des

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Re: 230Sl A/C Installation--need help
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2003, 05:56:24 »
Jerry--thanks for your reply. Can you give me more details of the belt arrangement and how the pulley mounts to the crank ? I have the original 113 style bracket with an interface setup for the Sanden. I also have the 280SL MB dealer installation guide, but as I have said the crank and water pump set ups are a little different. What did you do for the condensor mounting to the radiator ?--Thx--George Des