What a pita it was to to finally get the ac overall system working properly. A year ago I swapped compressors and couldn't get proper tension on the belt until I was told I was missing the lower mounting bracket. Installed one of those and still couldn't quite get proper pulley alignment. Then the entire climate system went inoperable. Put the car away for the winter. Got into it in May and got the system working by replacing the amplifier and master switch. I was then faced with periodic belt squeal due to improper pulley alignment. I finally solved this by moving the tension adjuster mounting point from the rear bracket hole (see photo) to where it is now. I guess this change the angle which allowed for the compressor pulley to properly align with the crank pulley.

Everything works but boy do I feel like an idiot. Now I can move back to installing 7" low beams and 4" fogs.

 

I had a very similar issue on my 85 XJ6. Same alum compressor with those bolt heads on the clutch. The tensioner would badly foul those bolt heads - ie. the compressor could not rotate. I ended up removing the threaded tensioner, cuttint one end off and welding it back on the the side of the threaded rod - in a "dog-leg fashion. Looks like S***, but works perfectely. I need to remove it in the winter and have it redone at a proper machine shop. On my car everything except this was a direct fit. I'll snap a picture and post again. Ian

 

curious as to what your solution looks like. would you be able to post a picture. while i seemed to have finally installed a modern compressor by rotating the belt tension adjuster bolt ( thanks to jose for this tip) from one side of the bracket to the other to avoid the clutch screw heads, yours might be another option for members in need of compressor replacement.

 

So Retroren, This is my setup. My model has no bracket like yours. My adjusting rod bolts directly to the block. If you look closely, you will see the "Jog" where it bolts to the block. Ian

 

Ian, thanks for the photos and explanation. Very clever and straightforward solution for avoiding the studded compressor clutch. Your method keeps the geometry correct whereas mine works but the pulley alignment is not spot on like yours. Well at least we have given fellow members a couple of options. Thenks, ren

 

Came up with a similar solution to Ian's and don't have any alignment issues.

Initial set up. I later removed the u-shaped part of the bracket as it was unnecessary.

The jury is still out as to whether the Al A6 compressor is really any better than the original cast iron units.