I am in process of fitting A/C to our 1960 MK2 3.8. I have sourced from a used parts dealer an original A/C mounting bracket probably made by one of the vendors supplying the A/C kits to Jaguar. Anyhow the bracket is very heavy, crude but fits nicely. At the the same time I am updating to an alternator, so bracket will be modified to allow its attachment. We will in the final fit-up clean up the bracket and powder coat.

The question is I have a concern on how the bracket is attached to the cylinder head. Two adjacent head nuts are to be removed to allow the attachment of a stabilizing brace that then attaches to the the main bracket.

The concern of course is having to loosen and retighten adjacent head nuts at the front left of the engine. Is there a risk by doing so that we will loose a seal in that area by doing so? Due to the design of the bracket there is no way only one at a time could be loosened and retightened.

So what does the wisdom of this forum think of my concern, is it not of a concern? As can see in the attached photos from an old factory document (link attached), Jaguar did show the attaching of the brackets, so one could presume that is is a non issue.

Assuming I will go ahead with the use of the piece, what would be the retorque valve for the two bolts, and would one check any surrounding bolts torque?

As time goes on I will post my progress.

Here is the complete bracket purchased. I will not be using the idler pulley.



Here is the drawing from a Jaguar publication and the link. B13 is the part number in question.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://valvechatter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/JCNA-Jaguar-Air-Conditiong-Judges-Guide-.pdf



Here is it attached on a car, not mine.



Thanks
jjsandsms

 

You'll be fine to remove the two bolts to install the bracket. If the head gasket isn't leaking, you might not need to bother retorquing the rest of the head bolts.

 

These car were never fitted with airconditioning from the factory, this was always a (USA) dealer option.
Even in the JCNA guide they mention that.
Ok these were period correct, but still is a aftermarket thing.
So why not use a more modern ( way smaller ) compressor?

 

For clarification, the photo showing the old York style compressor is not my application. It was shown to depict the mounting brackets. The other photo I posted shows a York to Sanden adapter with the brackets I will use, so I am using a modern compressor, a Sanden 508. Having said that, the compressor still has to be mounted to the engine. The brackets I have will work just great, especially after I add some some lightening holes. Why reinvent the wheel as they say.

Also as I posted at the same time I am converting to an alternator, a Delco 10SI internally regulated. The alternator will attached to the A/C bracket, so there is some purpose to having a rigid bracket.

My concern is having to loosen and remove two adjacent head bolts at the same time, install a bracket, and retorque. Am wondering if by doing so would effect the head gasket seal. One reply thus far says no.

Thanks for the reply.
jjsandsms

 

Undoing the head nuts shouldn't cause a gasket problem. Adding the bracket reduces the length of threaded stud available for the nut so hopefully the bracket metal isn't too thick. If it were mine, I'd do some research on other a/c installations to try to attach the compressor and alternator with bolts on the engine block.

 

The two holes in the head bracket are machined to the same thickness of the existing washers which will be eliminated. I'll post a photo of the bracket. Bracket is to stabilize the top portion of the main assembly.

I have looked at probably all the different ways compressors have been mounted on a MK2. This one seems to suit my application the best. It has to do with how I am going to drive the compressor. I am going to use a duel pulley on the new alternator and the compressor will be driven off the 2nd pulley groove as sitting above it
I'll post photos when I am to that point and will have separate thread on its configuration

Thanks for the reply.
Jjsandsms