Classic Auto Air HELP!!!

[unrealmach1]

Hi Guys,

I purchased a Classic Auto Air "Perfect Fit" AC system for my '69 Mach1 and I am having trouble with the mounting brackets. At first they sent me the wrong brackets, but they repalced them with what are supposed to be the correct brackets and I am not sure how they fit? I have a 351w motor. The kit is marked fits 302-351w from '70-'78, but my motor is a 393w build using a '94 roller block. I am using the original timing cover from my 69 block and I have Edelbrock heads if any of this makes a difference. I am having a lot of trouble with the brackets and the diagram they sent is not very helpful. Has anyone every installed this kit on a 351w? Any problems or advice? Anyone have pic of how the brackets install on the engine? HELP PLEASE!!

 

[mustangman1974]

I had to customize my brackets using a late model 5.0 and the front cover from the original 260. Mostly I had to redrill the mounting holes and add some material to accommodate the head casting difference from early model heads. Lets just say I am glad I had the engin on a stand when the kit came.

 

[BarnStang]

Do you have some pictures? I just finished a Classic kit on a stock 289. We were amazed at how much easier it was compared to the Vintage kit. Only had to hog out one hole in the bracket less than a quarter inch. THe alum heads probably arn't helping matters either.
I can get you some pictures of the 289 install Monday, but not sure if that will help your configuration much.

 

[Iamdiffrnt]

I was with unreal trying to get the brackets lined up. It looked like they would work ok on a 289/302, but the holes for the 351w position weren't perpendicular to the deck in relation to the 289/302 holes. The bolts for mounting to the timing cover were 3/8 instead of the 5/16 that the cover is tapped for.... Anyways it was a frustrating experience. When we had everything mocked up the timing cover bracket looked ok, and the bracket bolted to the head looked ok, they just would not line up with each other. And I honestly don't understand why you should have the drill out those small ears on the timing cover to a larger size (there really isn't that much meat there). Anyways, I'll probably end up with this kit for my 68 (351w also), so Pics of what any of you have done would really be helpful.

 

[BarnStang]

94 351W block, 69 timing cover, and the 70-78 302-351W bracket. From the Classic web site, that should be the right bracket. Is there a difference in deck height between the 94 351W block and an earlier 351W block? Like a 69 or 70 ?
I think I would call them again and see what they say. The heads should have stock holes drilled so that "shoulden't" matter now that I think about it.

 

[yeloxr7]

Do you mean the compressor mounting bracket? Mine bolted right onto the drivers-side head. I don't recall any other modifications I had to make. THe compressor brecket was the only one that came in my kit and is the only one needed. There was nothing that bolted to the water pump.

 

[bnickel]

there is a .020" difference in deck height but that won't create the problems he's having, i've seen the pics on another website and it's way off. also his doesn't have the stock style compressor bracket with the adapter plate like most i've seen, it's a 3 piece deal with one bolting to the head, one on the water pump that serves as the front mounting for the compressor AND the idler pulley bracket and another bracket that bolts to the bracket that bolts to the head. it's a weird setup and i could only find pics of one other car that had it by doing a google search and it doesn't show anything in any detail at all, just an overall shot of the engine compartment with the compressor already mounted.

 

[unrealmach1]

I am having trouble loading pics, but I put some on photobucket so you guys can see the problem I have. I called CAA today, but they don't have any pics of an install and didn't seem to know of any fitment issues with the brackets.

Yeloxr7 do you have any pics of your install? I haven't been able to find any pic on the net.

Here are the photobucket pics:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/unrealmach1/69 Mach1/100_1992.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/unrealmach1/69 Mach1/100_1991.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/unrealmach1/69 Mach1/100_1990.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/unrealmach1/69 Mach1/100_1989.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/unrealmach1/69 Mach1/location.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/unrealmach1/69 Mach1/acbrackets.jpg

 

[BarnStang]

Can you see the casting number on the timing cover? I know you said it's the stock timing cover off a 69 351W, but would like to know for certain. ALso, there is one disparity in that the braket is labeled for 70-78. The cover is a 69. THe water pump exits the drivers side on a 70, yours exits the passenger side so it must be a 69. It's very possible that CAA does not make a braket for the 69 351W. I am wondering if you put a 70 cover on with the correct water pump, if the braket would fit correctly. I'm sure you don't want to go to that much pain and have to change the radiater too. But I think that may be some of the issue.
We pulled out a 70 stock water pump, but it still does not look like it will fit the bracket. I also ran into a problem where I had a water pump off a truck and that caused a huge headach, but you have an aftermarket pump. Assuming it's for a 69 Mustang, it should be right too.
Lastly, look at the CAA website and click to Mustang then down to where thaey show brackets only. THe brackets on the top of the page look like they bolt to the head alone and do not go to the water pump. THat may be an option too.

 

[unrealmach1]

The timing cover in the pic is a 69 casting, but I have had three different covers from various years and the all fit the same. The water pump has the outlet on a diferent side starting in '70, but all the bolt holes for the pump are the same and it is the same timing cover. The reason the kit goes for 70 on up is because the 69 351w block has a shorter deck height. I think 69 is the only year for the short deck height. My block is a 94 so that shouldn't matter.

I'll go to the CAA site and look at the pics. Thanks.

 

[unrealmach1]

I checked the website. The pic is the bracket for the 6 cylinder according to CAA. SBF from 69 up get the brackets I have. The bracket in the pic is similar to the first one they sent with my kit, but it was for early 289 engines. That was a one peice bracket, but the holes for that didn't come close to fitting on my 351w because of the deck height difference. I called CAA and they replaced that bracket with this kit P/N 6-127.

 

[bnickel]

Can you see the casting number on the timing cover? I know you said it's the stock timing cover off a 69 351W, but would like to know for certain. ALso, there is one disparity in that the braket is labeled for 70-78. The cover is a 69. THe water pump exits the drivers side on a 70, yours exits the passenger side so it must be a 69. It's very possible that CAA does not make a braket for the 69 351W. I am wondering if you put a 70 cover on with the correct water pump, if the braket would fit correctly. I'm sure you don't want to go to that much pain and have to change the radiater too. But I think that may be some of the issue.
We pulled out a 70 stock water pump, but it still does not look like it will fit the bracket. I also ran into a problem where I had a water pump off a truck and that caused a huge headach, but you have an aftermarket pump. Assuming it's for a 69 Mustang, it should be right too.
Lastly, look at the CAA website and click to Mustang then down to where thaey show brackets only. THe brackets on the top of the page look like they bolt to the head alone and do not go to the water pump. THat may be an option too.

the timing covers are the same for 69-up until the went to reverse rotation pumps. i have a 74 timing cover on my 69 with a 69 pump

 

[BarnStang]

Thanks, my coworker (Ford Rainman...) already pointed that out to me. WHere does that leave unrealmach1 with his bracket problem? I'm out of ideas.

unreal, the only thing we saw on the 70 waterpump was an extra boss where a bolt could go on the right, but it still seemed too far away to help. THere has to be a reason it's not working, I can't believe CAA has a bracket that has never fit a 351W? At this point, you may need to butcher the bracket. Funny. THat's what we had to do to the VIntage Air bracket on their kit...

 

[unrealmach1]

THere has to be a reason it's not working, I can't believe CAA has a bracket that has never fit a 351W? At this point, you may need to butcher the bracket. Funny. THat's what we had to do to the VIntage Air bracket on their kit...

I know I said the same thing. I called CAA twice now has they haven't been able to help and I emailed pic, but haven't heard back. I will probably have to butcher the bracket, but I'd like to get this bracket issue soved with CAA so the next guy doesn't have the same issue. Or if I'm messing something up I'll have the answer for the next guy.

 

[Iamdiffrnt]

It just looks to me like the brackets that bolt to the head are designed wrong. The mounting locations for the 302 and 351w should be inline with the bore (perpendicular to deck face). I believe the distance from the 302 holes to the 351w was correct. The problem seems to be that the 351w holes are skewed toward the intake.

 

[70dvr]

The bracket for my 70 is completely different.
View attachment 349543
View attachment 349545

 

[unrealmach1]

Is your bracket from CAA?

 

[70dvr]

Sorry, Unrealmach1 it took a while for me to see your question. Yes, the bracket is from CAA.

 

[unrealmach1]

Just wanted to say Thanks to everyone. CAA was not very helpful to me with this issue. In the end they said I would just have to modify the brackets they supplied. After checking the net I found a place called Alan Grove that makes adjustable brackets to fit SBF with Sanden compressors. They actually make the bracket that 70dvr got from CAA. I called them and they were very helpful. I should get the bracket this weekend.