Vintage Air System for 1970 Camaro

[knightmoose]

Vintage Air "AC Kit"- arrived to the shop for install for my 1970 Camaro which should be a direct fit replacement. The shop called and stated the kit arrived BUT came with a bracket for mounting the AC compressor on the "passenger side" not the drivers side. The alternator is on the passenger side and would have to be moved. I thought the compressor is suppose to be mounted on the "drivers side only" for a the 70 camaro and the kit should have came with the correct bracket? Now the shop says they have to order the correct bracket to move the alternator so the compressor and alternator can swap positions? The bracket is on back order until January, what would you do have the shop get the correct bracket to mount and continue? Does it matter what side the compressor is on "drivers side vs passenger side" any? or would you make the shop send the entire kit back and get the kit with the bracket to mount on the drivers side instead of swapping positions with the alternator?

 

[ULTM8Z]

Since originality is already out the window with an aftermarket system, I'd probably mount the compressor on the passenger side and move the alternator. The hose route would be cleaner IMO going from the compressor to the firewall

 

[69venture]

ULTM8Z has a point to consider. Compressor on the passenger side is cleaner. When I ordered my VA kit I had to fill out a form and one of the specifics was what side you want the compressor on. Did you specify passenger side compressor mounting? If so the hoses will be sized for that side as well. If not they should be able to just send you the right brackets for what the kit was built for. I think they use Alan Grove brackets in their kits.

 

[bigdav160]

OE would have been drivers side compressor with really long hoses across the engine compartment. Other models of that era (truck and Corvette) had passenger side compressors with short hoses (short water pump with matching pulleys also)

 

[wnmech]

My 71 VA kit compressor mounted on the drivers side and with a little bit of hose routing it looks pretty neat. I’m thinking that VA sent you the wro mounting kit.

 

[xten]

My 71 VA kit compressor mounted on the drivers side and with a little bit of hose routing it looks pretty neat. I’m thinking that VA sent you the wro mounting kit.

Same here

 

[knightmoose]

The shop ordered the kit and stated VA asked what water pump was on the car short or small BUT they never asked what side the alternator was on. Since the kit has already arrived the shop is charging another 125$ to get the correct bracket this is after paying $2k for the kit. Should I have the shop send the kit back for the correct mounting brackets or wait on the bracket as it also is on back order either way? Since the 70 isn't numbers matching how much of this this matters if the install like your saying would look cleaner going thru the passenger side? thanks for the advice ..

 

[ULTM8Z]

The two pictures above do look clean and nicely implemented, no doubt about that.

Just that if you mount the compressor on the passenger side the hoses are shorter and have a more straight run back to the firewall.

Again it's just a matter of preference since it's your car.

 

[wnmech]

In my opinion VA should send you the proper mounting kit for your vehicle unless the shop ordered the wrong kit for your vehicle then they should bite the bullet for kit. Next problem is if they have to mount the compressor on the passenger side are they going to pay for relocate the alternator and whatever bracket is needed to remount the alternator and modify the wiring?

 

[unrestored72Z]

My 71 VA kit compressor mounted on the drivers side and with a little bit of hose routing it looks pretty neat. I’m thinking that VA sent you the wro mounting kit.

Is this a 71 Z, in Placer Gold?