Where you secured the P/S bracket to the head bolts should be 1/4" longer. The only ones I know about are the '64-'66 compressor brackets with or without A/C. Without them you stand the chance of pulling the head hold down threads from the block when they are torqued. I will be going this week-end to my storage facility & checking those boxes for the vents. Like I said the vents are from a '62 Invicta. I may also have the compressor bracket from the same car. Looks completely diff. from the bracket I was talking about & that you bought. Looks like your on your way with the bracket by using the one you already purchased & making it work. 1/4" longer water manifold bolts also. Did you use the 1/4" longer head bolt to hold the bracket to the head??? Same problem as the P/S bracket. The upper rad. hose looks to be a '63-'65 Riv. with or without A/C. Tom T.
I will get 1/4" longer bolts before I torque up. Right now, they are just holding everything in place, as I have to R & R multiple times until I am finished. Gotta make sure everything is lined up correctly. I really like the way my mounting brackets are working out. I will check out a Riviera hose. I have a Riviera radiator coming, so all should be good.
Fabricating a compressor mounting bracket for these cars is challenging, to say the least. I chose to move the alternator to the DS to free up space on the PS for the compressor. The inner fender and upper control arms, coupled with a low hood crowd out the standard 401 bracket with both. I thought I could just use the 401 bracket for the compressor but that sits the compressor too high, so I cut off the mount and fabricated my own using some generic Vintage Air brackets. Getting the pulleys lined up in 2 planes is a challenge but I finally got it done and I like it. Everything is easily accessible. This is not a project for the inexperienced and be prepared to pay for a lot of shop time if you farm it out. Hopefully, my pictures will help expedite the process. Off to the powder coaters!
Very sanitary. Nice work. Did you find a set of Dash vents yet? I looked and I don't have a spare set.
I just came across this on Facebook. The guy is parting out a 61 with factory AC. I didn't speak to him but it looks like he ahs all that you need. Good luck (20+) Marketplace - 1961 Buick part out | Facebook
Worked out nicely. I decided to use a rear ported compressor. Pay no attention the the plumbing on that fuel pump. It will be replaced by an electric. I can't believe that thing has a 1/8" npt outlet.
More lessons learned. A Riviera radiator will work in a 61 but you will have to fabricate your own hold downs and the Riviera hoses are too short.
As I mentioned earlier, you must cut the PS dash brace to install a Vintage Air Super. I was able to get it in and I am routing my hoses through the old blower hole and through the fresh air box. You must seal these up. I used a special grommet for VA that conforms to different hose sizes. You can see the grommets in one picture.
Did you ever get the dash vents? Is that a Heat and air unit or do you intend to keep the stock heater?
Heat, AC and Defrost, all in one unit. Factory heater eliminated. I made my own vents and they turned out pretty nice.
I installed all the hoses today and let me tell you, it is a job to get those 4 hoses wrestled through 2 sets of grommets and turned in that air plenum to the evaporator unit. I got it done, however. The -10 AC hose was the hardest of course. Now I am working on wiring and have several things to do before I put the dash back together. I hope you're going to like the changes made to it and the instrument cluster.
That's ALL looking so GOOD/GREAT!!!! GREAT job & workmanship. Looks better than stock to me. Something to be highly proud of. Speaks volumes to your creativity & craftmanship!!! Tom T.
Definitely not my first rodeo. Did you see my 49 Buick in the Members Rides? That was a 3 1/2 year project. https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/big-bertha.380022/
