PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

1
Hello Les,
Sorry for getting this to you so late. I hope it isn't too difficult to see the bracket.
Shown here after the compressor has been removed. I hope to take better shots
after the longblock has been stripped and hopefully one of the bracket completely
off the engine. For now, this is the best I could get.
Happy Holidays!
--
BenT
2

Ben,

That’s great and I now have a clear idea of the mount.  Just for the hell of it, I will tomorrow send you a pic of the monstrosity that was fitted here by Prestige.

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 24 December 2009 20:12
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Hello Les,

 

Sorry for getting this to you so late. I hope it isn't too difficult to see the bracket.

Shown here after the compressor has been removed. I hope to take better shots

after the longblock has been stripped and hopefully one of the bracket completely

off the engine. For now, this is the best I could get.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

--

BenT

 

3

Ben,

Attached are pics of the (local) Prestige air conditioner compressor mount. It weighs 4.1 kg – that’s 9 pounds!! – plus there is a flat brace made from 1” X ¼” mild steel, plus the compressor.

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 24 December 2009 20:12
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Hello Les,

 

Sorry for getting this to you so late. I hope it isn't too difficult to see the bracket.

Shown here after the compressor has been removed. I hope to take better shots

after the longblock has been stripped and hopefully one of the bracket completely

off the engine. For now, this is the best I could get.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

--

BenT

 

4
Thanks, Les. I see it has a similar weak spot to the Tiico bracket for inline4 engine conversions from SA. They have a small outboard tab welded on which breaks on a regular basis. Best fix was found to be retrofit of a factory part.

I'll take some pics of the factory AC bracket once I get one off an engine.


Ben T 

Sent from my mobile device

On Dec 25, 2009, at 3:50 PM, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

Ben,

Attached are pics of the (local) Prestige air conditioner compressor mount.  It weighs 4.1 kg – that’s 9 pounds!! – plus there is a flat brace made from 1” X ¼” mild steel, plus the compressor. 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 24 December 2009 20:12
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Hello Les,

 

Sorry for getting this to you so late. I hope it isn't too difficult to see the bracket.

Shown here after the compressor has been removed. I hope to take better shots

after the longblock has been stripped and hopefully one of the bracket completely

off the engine. For now, this is the best I could get.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

--

BenT

 

<IMG_0162.jpg>
<IMG_0163.jpg>
5

Ben,

Every aspect of this bracket is wrong.  Apart from the sheer mass, it is fraught with many problems.  To achieve the different mounting face levels, spacers have been tacked onto the m/s plate.  The welds are so shoddy that they stand above the mounting faces by up to 2+ mm, which mean that they bite into the crankcase mounting points when the bracket is bolted in place.   It is like NASA building a space shuttle out of used bridge girders.  There is no way anything on this bracket will break because it is so massive.  What breaks is the crankcase that it is bolted to!

What would be the availability of used genuine brackets in the US ?

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 26 December 2009 11:29
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Thanks, Les. I see it has a similar weak spot to the Tiico bracket for inline4 engine conversions from SA. They have a small outboard tab welded on which breaks on a regular basis. Best fix was found to be retrofit of a factory part.

 

I'll take some pics of the factory AC bracket once I get one off an engine.

 

 

Ben T 

Sent from my mobile device



6
Les,

I have never investigated availability yet. They should be relatively plentiful here in California. AC was almost a dealer mandated option as it was used to increase their profit margin. 

My local parts place turned out to be a poor source because he resells almost al his engines rebuilt and complete. I will find a place that breaks up engines and report back my findings.


BenT
Sent from my mobile device
On Dec 25, 2009, at 4:54 PM, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

Ben,

Every aspect of this bracket is wrong.  Apart from the sheer mass, it is fraught with many problems.  To achieve the different mounting face levels, spacers have been tacked onto the m/s plate.  The welds are so shoddy that they stand above the mounting faces by up to 2+ mm, which mean that they bite into the crankcase mounting points when the bracket is bolted in place.   It is like NASA building a space shuttle out of used bridge girders.  There is no way anything on this bracket will break because it is so massive.  What breaks is the crankcase that it is bolted to!

What would be the availability of used genuine brackets in the US ?

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 26 December 2009 11:29
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Thanks, Les. I see it has a similar weak spot to the Tiico bracket for inline4 engine conversions from SA. They have a small outboard tab welded on which breaks on a regular basis. Best fix was found to be retrofit of a factory part.

 

I'll take some pics of the factory AC bracket once I get one off an engine.

 

 

Ben T 

Sent from my mobile device



<IMG_0167.jpg>
<IMG_0168.jpg>
7

Ben,

Interesting that you mention the air conditioning option.  Yesterday, I was reading a publication issued by Volkswagen of United States Inc, titled “1986 Vanagon and Vanagon Syncro Service Training”.  I noted that they devoted ten pages out of sixty five just to the air conditioning and assumed that this was an indicator of the importance of air conditioning on the US market.  Your comment tends to confirm that.

If you can find a genuine bracket at some stage, it would be helpful.  I know someone who would make a pattern for me and it shouldn’t be a problem to get a few cast.  The machining is something that I could do for myself using a colleague’s machine shop.

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 26 December 2009 12:08
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Les,

 

I have never investigated availability yet. They should be relatively plentiful here in California . AC was almost a dealer mandated option as it was used to increase their profit margin. 

 

My local parts place turned out to be a poor source because he resells almost al his engines rebuilt and complete. I will find a place that breaks up engines and report back my findings.

 

 

BenT
Sent from my mobile device

On Dec 25, 2009, at 4:54 PM, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@ optusnet. com.au> wrote:

 

 

8
Les,
Now you can see why I was told not to get Aussie a/c.

It may be cheaper to source US brackets as they do not have to be syncro there should be easily obtainable. Maybe a source of pocket money for someone!



> Les Harris <leslieharris@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>
> Ben,
>
> Interesting that you mention the air conditioning option. Yesterday, I
> was
> reading a publication issued by Volkswagen of United States Inc, titled
> "1986 Vanagon and Vanagon Syncro Service Training". I noted that they
> devoted ten pages out of sixty five just to the air conditioning and
> assumed
> that this was an indicator of the importance of air conditioning on the
> US
> market. Your comment tends to confirm that.
>
> If you can find a genuine bracket at some stage, it would be helpful. I
> know someone who would make a pattern for me and it shouldn't be a
> problem
> to get a few cast. The machining is something that I could do for
> myself
> using a colleague's machine shop.
>
> Les
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
> Sent: 26 December 2009 12:08
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket
>
>
>
>
>
> Les,
>
>
>
> I have never investigated availability yet. They should be relatively
> plentiful here in California. AC was almost a dealer mandated option as
> it
> was used to increase their profit margin.
>
>
>
> My local parts place turned out to be a poor source because he resells
> almost al his engines rebuilt and complete. I will find a place that
> breaks
> up engines and report back my findings.
>
>
>
>
>
> BenT
> Sent from my mobile device
>
> On Dec 25, 2009, at 4:54 PM, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@
> <mailto:leslieharris@optusnet.com.au> optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>
>
>
>
9

Phill,

That was certainly good advice.

If Ben Tan makes a sideline of it, I am sure that everyone with a Prestige monstrosity would be a ready customer.  But, as Ben has mentioned, it could be a matter of availability, which is why I was thinking in terms of pattern, casting and machining.

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 26 December 2009 12:39
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Les,
Now you can see why I was told not to get Aussie a/c.

It may be cheaper to source US brackets as they do not have to be syncro there should be easily obtainable. Maybe a source of pocket money for someone!


10
Les,
I now see what you mean. To me, this bracket looks like Prestige a/c bracket version 1 made very very late on a Friday afternoon, knock off bell imminent.
 
Mine must be version 2. I can visualise the 1st year apprentice being given the task to tack and fillet weld a batch of a 100 of these to practice welding skills. Also has the same m.s. brace but the rest of it seems to be re-designed so it looks stronger and the baseplate is one whole piece, no tacked on outrigger for the fourth bolt. This means my plate looks stronger than yours but I suspect even heavier. I have no reason though to suspect my case is damaged even though the case is probably the weakest link if ever things went awry. But I really do like what I see in BenT's photos ... looks a superior, integrated, lighter design solution.
 
Still begs the unanswered question though .... will our Prestige installed compressor be an exact bolt-in fit to the mounts and achieve correct pulley alignment on the vanagon a/c bracket?
 
Ken
 
 

 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: leslieharris@optusnet.com.au
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:50:11 +1100
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

Ben,

Attached are pics of the (local) Prestige air conditioner compressor mount.  It weighs 4.1 kg – that’s 9 pounds!! – plus there is a flat brace made from 1” X ¼” mild steel, plus the compressor. 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 24 December 2009 20:12
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Hello Les,

 

Sorry for getting this to you so late. I hope it isn't too difficult to see the bracket.

Shown here after the compressor has been removed. I hope to take better shots

after the longblock has been stripped and hopefully one of the bracket completely

off the engine. For now, this is the best I could get.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

--

BenT

 



Australia's #1 job site If It Exists, You'll Find it on SEEK
11

Ken,

The danger point is the left rear corner of the crankcase and you have to remove the bracket to see it.  If the Mk II is stronger than the Mk I, it would then be 500% too strong instead of 300%.

We would need to see a genuine bracket to assess how the compressor will fit and that comes down to the lugs on the compressor body.  My compressor is a Sanden SD-510.  If any member has a genuine VAG cast aluminium bracket in Victoria , I would like to have a look at it.

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Ken Garratt
Sent: 26 December 2009 18:07
To: Syncro _T3_Australia forum
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Les,
I now see what you mean. To me, this bracket looks like Prestige a/c bracket version 1 made very very late on a Friday afternoon, knock off bell imminent.
 
Mine must be version 2. I can visualise the 1st year apprentice being given the task to tack and fillet weld a batch of a 100 of these to practice welding skills. Also has the same m.s. brace but the rest of it seems to be re-designed so it looks stronger and the baseplate is one whole piece, no tacked on outrigger for the fourth bolt. This means my plate looks stronger than yours but I suspect even heavier. I have no reason though to suspect my case is damaged even though the case is probably the weakest link if ever things went awry. But I really do like what I see in BenT's photos ... looks a superior, integrated, lighter design solution.
 
Still begs the unanswered question though .... will our Prestige installed compressor be an exact bolt-in fit to the mounts and achieve correct pulley alignment on the vanagon a/c bracket?
 
Ken
 
 

 

12

Meant to mention that the compressor (with pulley) weight 7.6 kg, which is about 16.8 pounds, so there is 11.7 kg (nearly 26 pounds) sitting on the crankcase.  It only needs one loose bolt and the whole thing starts bouncing.

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Ken Garratt
Sent: 26 December 2009 18:07
To: Syncro _T3_Australia forum
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Les,
I now see what you mean. To me, this bracket looks like Prestige a/c bracket version 1 made very very late on a Friday afternoon, knock off bell imminent.
  ,___

13
Les,

I know many if the late model Vanagons got Sanden compressors. I don't
have the specifics at this time & no way to check until tomorrow.

It's still Christmas here for another 22 minutes. Someone won't be
happy if I go outside and start playing T3 detective.;-)


BenT
>
14

Ah, now that’s very interesting indeed.  This is a Japanese made compressor, so it looks like they had the US market as well.  You had better make wise use of the 22 minutes.  I would feel responsible if you were found impaled on a reindeer’s horns!

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 26 December 2009 18:38
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

Les,

I know many if the late model Vanagons got Sanden compressors. I don't
have the specifics at this time & no way to check until tomorrow.

It's still Christmas here for another 22 minutes. Someone won't be
happy if I go outside and start playing T3 detective.;- )

BenT

>

15
BenT,

Any progress on vanagon factory brackets yet?

Ken


--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, BenT Syncro <syncro@...>
wrote:
>
> Les,
>
> I have never investigated availability yet. They should be relatively
> plentiful here in California. AC was almost a dealer mandated option
> as it was used to increase their profit margin.
>
> My local parts place turned out to be a poor source because he resells
> almost al his engines rebuilt and complete. I will find a place that
> breaks up engines and report back my findings.
>
>
> BenT
> Sent from my mobile device
> On Dec 25, 2009, at 4:54 PM, "Les Harris"
> leslieharris@... wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Ben,
> > Every aspect of this bracket is wrong. Apart from the sheer mass,
> > it is fraught with many problems. To achieve the different mounting
> > face levels, spacers have been tacked onto the m/s plate. The welds
> > are so shoddy that they stand above the mounting faces by up to 2+
> > mm, which mean that they bite into the crankcase mounting points
> > when the bracket is bolted in place. It is like NASA building a
> > space shuttle out of used bridge girders. There is no way anything
> > on this bracket will break because it is so massive. What breaks is
> > the crankcase that it is bolted to!
> > What would be the availability of used genuine brackets in the US?
> > Les
> >
> > From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of BenT
Syncro
> > Sent: 26 December 2009 11:29
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] PICS of Vanagon factory AC
bracket
> >
> >
> > Thanks, Les. I see it has a similar weak spot to the Tiico bracket
> > for inline4 engine conversions from SA. They have a small outboard
> > tab welded on which breaks on a regular basis. Best fix was found to
> > be retrofit of a factory part.
> >
> > I'll take some pics of the factory AC bracket once I get one off an
> > engine.
> >
> >
> > Ben T
> >
> > Sent from my mobile device
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > <IMG_0167.jpg>
> > <IMG_0168.jpg>
>
16
On Jan 12, 2010, at 6:36 PM, "Ken" <unclekenz@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> BenT,
>
> Any progress on vanagon factory brackets yet?
>
> Ken


Haven't asked lately. Thanks for the reminder. I'll ask my T3 breaker/
killer tomorrow.


BenT
17

Ben,

 

Thanks.  I haven’t been putting anything in to the group latterly because I am up to my armpits in sorting out a couple of cranky computers but I am reading what is coming in.

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 13 January 2010 13:44
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

On Jan 12, 2010, at 6:36 PM, "Ken" <unclekenz@hotmail. com> wrote:

>
> BenT,
>
> Any progress on vanagon factory brackets yet?
>
> Ken

Haven't asked lately. Thanks for the reminder. I'll ask my T3 breaker/
killer tomorrow.

BenT

18
We better stop saying nasty things about Les if he is still listening in!
 
Ha!
 
Cheers,
 
Scott
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Les Harris
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:47 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

Ben,

Thanks.  I haven’t been putting anything in to the group latterly because I am up to my armpits in sorting out a couple of cranky computers but I am reading what is coming in.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto:Syncro_ T3_Australia@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 13 January 2010 13:44
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Re: PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

On Jan 12, 2010, at 6:36 PM, "Ken" <unclekenz@hotmail. com> wrote:

>
> BenT,
>
> Any progress on vanagon factory brackets yet?
>
> Ken

Haven't asked lately. Thanks for the reminder. I'll ask my T3 breaker/
killer tomorrow.

BenT

19

You are all safe.  I have pulled the plug on just a few people and that was because their actions were contrary to the interests of the group.  (It is some time since I have felt the urge to pull the plug on the entire group.)

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mr Scott Pitcher
Sent: 13 January 2010 13:54
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

We better stop saying nasty things about Les if he is still listening in!

 

Ha!

 

Cheers,

 

Scott

 

20
Les,
Only 3 PC's? Piece of cake  haha. Bloke I know here has a room full ... every variety and vintage. Needless to say he doesn't do much else. Oh dear.
 
Right now I'm busy doing what seems to be a PHD on syncro coolant hoses. Present count (ignoring lineal metre rubber hose cut to length) is 16 (and ignoring heater circus!) I see your fellow forum owner, Jim Davis, did a coolant hose exercise a while back where he went out and sought equivalent hoses from US auto part stores for much cheaper. From a post of his findings, he found replacements for at least 7 of them. Maybe he now has a more current list somewhere.
 
Armed with his found equivalent part nos., I may get down to a local parts supplier and see if they have similar. Could be a lot simpler, cheaper and available around Oz parts suppliers for at least some of them.
 
Anyone else done work on this sort of thing? I don't want to reinvent the wheel if you have ok.
Cheers.
Ken  
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: leslieharris@optusnet.com.au
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:47:49 +1100
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

Ben,

 

Thanks.  I haven’t been putting anything in to the group latterly because I am up to my armpits in sorting out a couple of cranky computers but I am reading what is coming in.

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto:Syncro_ T3_Australia@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of BenT Syncro
Sent: 13 January 2010 13:44
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Re: PICS of Vanagon factory AC bracket

 

 

On Jan 12, 2010, at 6:36 PM, "Ken" <unclekenz@hotmail. com> wrote:

>
> BenT,
>
> Any progress on vanagon factory brackets yet?
>
> Ken

Haven't asked lately. Thanks for the reminder. I'll ask my T3 breaker/
killer tomorrow.

BenT


If It Exists, You'll Find it on SEEK Shopping Trolley Mechanic