AC on 5.3 in 76 K-10-- Kwik? Holley? Sanden?

[roundhouse]

time to install the AC on our 76 K-10

5.3 is stock, from a '02 silverado.
dingo engine mounts.

have the stock evaporator from a '82 on the firewall

we, of course had to remove the stock 02 AC compressor because it hits the frame rail, and we didnt want to cut the frame.

Ive looked at the various websites of Holley , kwik, and Novak,
and its very confusing about what other parts I need to go along with the bracket.
do I use the stock tensioner?

it seems with the Holley kit you have to use Holleys tensioner, which long term seems like a bad idea, since no boneyard or auto parts store will have it, when it needs replacing,

the dirty dingo kit includes the tensioner and idler, so right now thats the direction Im leaning.
not sure which sanden to use, they list that its fits 4 different sanden models.
no idea which one I need.


Dirty Dingo billet aluminum air conditioning bracket for mounting the Sanden type SD7H15 4711, 4665, and 6669 508


what condensor are yall using?
dryer?

been driving it for about 18 months.
a stock 5.3 with 260K on it has easily twice the power of the old TBI 350 that was in it.
and the NV 3500 five speed from a 06 silverado is a blast to drive, even with 3.73 gears and 35' tires.

time to add AC for the summer.

[jessemthompson]

I had a kwik setup on my 5.3 at first. You use an LS1 tensioner with their setup. I wasn't a big fan of it, so I swapped to a low mount Allen grove setup. If I was gonna go with a high mount again, I would use the dirty dingo setup.

[roundhouse]

Originally Posted by jessemthompson

I had a kwik setup on my 5.3 at first. You use an LS1 tensioner with their setup. I wasn't a big fan of it, so I swapped to a low mount Allen grove setup. If I was gonna go with a high mount again, I would use the dirty dingo setup.

also considering Vintage Air

anyone used their kit ?

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Originally Posted by roundhouse

also considering Vintage Air

anyone used their kit ?

I installed Vintage Air in my 70 but don't have a compressor yet. I too would like to know if anyone has had any experience with the different brackets.
The install of the V A was pretty straight forward but you need to take your time and READ over first before proceeding. I welded my fire wall up as I did not like the bolt on plate

[dec010974]

Hello to all. roundhouse, I'm in the same boat. I am using an a/c bracket from an ebay vendor (ICT), on an 1980 c10, with an LSx. My squarebody came with A/C. It would be cheaper to use the current a/c stuff, like the drier, condenser, and a/c switches that are on the vehicle at this time. The debate to install an after market system vs. OE stuff is long and heated. I'm gonna try out the stock stuff first because its cheaper. My total as of yet is $275.00. The A/C bracket, Belt tensioner, and Sanden Compressor are the only items I have purchased. if i purchase a new Condenser and drier the total will jump to $450.00. The question is will this A/C perform like a Gen IV Vintage Air Setup? The cost for that setup is around $1500. I would like to keep this thread going to see what others are doing. please fell free to PM me any questions. roundhouse please chime in. What route have you decided to take?

[Mr.Chevy4x4]

You could always go with the 90's S10 bracket with an R4 and condenser/hose assembly from a 88-91 K5 or Suburban. Probably the cheapest way to go about high mount A/C.

Here's a thread on doing this:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=724060


Mike

[sprint_9]

I like my low mount Holley so far. Uses the smaller SD7 compressor and mounts it cleanly out of the way.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Originally Posted by sprint_9

I like my low mount Holley so far. Uses the smaller SD7 compressor and mounts it cleanly out of the way. Also uses a stock tensioner (Gates 38159) and belt (Gates K040378).

With the adapter plates I have it doesn't look like I can bolt up a low mount
Would like to see a close up if possible of were this mounts
Thanks

[dec010974]

Hello to all. Thanks for the ideas. There's a thousand ways to skin a cat. Mr.Chevy4x4, I like that idea. sprint_9, I wish I would have thought of that. solidaxel, you win the prize of the century. Just for kicks, I always thought the new gen VA a/c units were far superior than OE stuff. Tomorrow, I'm gonna pick up my condenser and accumulator, from the local auto parts and drive a nail in the cool breeze coffin.

[sprint_9]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

With the adapter plates I have it doesn't look like I can bolt up a low mount
Would like to see a close up if possible of were this mounts
Thanks

Ill get you some, give me a day or two though.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I did have to modify one of the mounting plates that come in the kit. The plate I modified was the one that mounts to the block on the bottom, there are 3 bolt holes used by the stock compressor, I used the front 2 and cut off the back one as my motor mounts were in the way. I made a quick picture of where I cut.

Another thing that is probably crucial in making this low mount bracket work in relation to engine mounts is the accessory drive spacing. I have the long truck/new camaro spacing and it worked, Im not sure if the short or medium would clear, atleast in my application.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Originally Posted by sprint_9

Ill get you some, give me a day or two though.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I did have to modify one of the mounting plates that come in the kit. The plate I modified was the one that mounts to the block on the bottom, there are 3 bolt holes used by the stock compressor, I used the front 2 and cut off the back one as my motor mounts were in the way. I made a quick picture of where I cut.

Another thing that is probably crucial in making this low mount bracket work in relation to engine mounts is the accessory drive spacing. I have the long truck/new camaro spacing and it worked, Im not sure if the short or medium would clear, atleast in my application.

Cool, thank you very much
Steve

[dec010974]

sprint_9, that holley a/c kit is low and out of the way. How quick/easy can you remove and install the compressor if need be? That's why I've always stayed away from the low mount kits. I hate removing engines just to repair or replace a part.

[solidaxel]

My 78 has the stock A/c evap and a sanden comp new 134 condenser and new hoses
Works great much colder than the V A units I have in my A D trucks
The brackets are D D

[Dustytrix]

Following

[sprint_9]

Another thing I noticed tonight in that manual is that they list two different belt lengths in two different spots in the manual. Page 4 lists an appropriate belt length in relation to the short, medium, and long alignments. Then again belt lengths are mentioned on page 15, but they dont match the information on page 4.

I used the info on page 4 to order my stuff, I guess I dont remember if I checked my tensioner to see if its in spec. Something to look at tomorrow.

Im trying to give out good info, but the manufacture of this part isnt even giving out good info in their instruction manual

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Originally Posted by sprint_9

Another thing I noticed tonight in that manual is that they list two different belt lengths in two different spots in the manual. Page 4 lists an appropriate belt length in relation to the short, medium, and long alignments. Then again belt lengths are mentioned on page 15, but they dont match the information on page 4.

I used the info on page 4 to order my stuff, I guess I dont remember if I checked my tensioner to see if its in spec. Something to look at tomorrow.

Im trying to give out good info, but the manufacture of this part isnt even giving out good info in their instruction manual

My motor mounts set forward on the block with the adapters I used. Unfortunately I will not be able to go low. All your info made it very easy for me to figure this out without buying expensive parts so once again I thank you.
Now I need info on a good bracket to go high with, Anybody
Steve

[nsb29]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

My motor mounts set forward on the block with the adapters I used. Unfortunately I will not be able to go low. All your info made it very easy for me to figure this out without buying expensive parts so once again I thank you.
Now I need info on a good bracket to go high with, Anybody
Steve

Holly makes an upper bracket that looks like he could be stock not fancy billet that is what I'm going to use you just don't have the room with the Camaro motor like you do with one out of my truck

[crakarjax]

I'm planning to run a TBSS compressor with stock TBSS mount. Will need to do some mods to the bracket to get the lower bolts to work though.

[sprint_9]

Glad I could help, alot of the time it seems like just getting something that fits is half the battle.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Originally Posted by sprint_9

Glad I could help, alot of the time it seems like just getting something that fits is half the battle.

Looked at your Build , Very nice Lots of work. It will all be worth it. I love my LS

[sprint_9]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

Looked at your Build , Very nice Lots of work. It will all be worth it. I love my LS

Thanks, Ive taken about a month off now, I need to get back to work on it.

[dec010974]

Hello. Here is where I'm at with my A/C install using the stock evaporator system with my LSx swap. i am currently playing with the Belt route. I Hope the pics help.

[dec010974]

if any other pics are needed, let me know.

[roundhouse]

I wound up using vintage air with the quik perf bracket
It fits great in a squarebody