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Any Low Mount AC that runs on the Main Accessory Drive?
Hey guys,
I'm curious if there are any out there. I've searched on and off for the last few months, but haven't been able to find one. My frame is already notched for low mount AC, but because I'm running LSA CTS-V accessories I can't fit an AC compressor at the 4 rib stock location. To boot I am running the CTS-V accessories which won't allow me to high mount the AC. So the only reasonable option I can think of would be to keep the compressor low mounted, but come up with a way to run it on the main accessory drive. When I was running my LS1 at truck spacing, I was able to fit a Sanden compressor in there with a Dirty Dingo mount.
The only mount that I found that may be able to work is the 551137-LS74-3 made by ICT billet. If I get the truck spacing It should be pretty close to the main Corvette spacing. I should be able to shim it in order for the belt to line up but I think my next issue will be the tensioner/belt wrap. Do you think I would be able to just add an idler onto the bracket up higher so that I could still end up with good belt wrap? I know that ideally the tensioner should be "last" in in the rotation of the balancer, but does anyone foresee this being an issue?
I wished I could use something like that, but the Holley Mounts I have are right in the way. Here is a picture of the Dirty Dingo mount and the notch that I made. That's at the truck spacing for the 4 rib AC, and I believe that the main accessory spacing is almost the same for the Corvette.
Im looking to use truck spacing gen 4, 69 camaro, low mount a/c, sanden or denso compressor. Have a denso core for fit up. I have to buy a compressor either way, leaning towards sanden since vintage air and aftermarket mounts are based on that.
agree holley mounts conflict with low mount options, one of the main reasons I havent used them.
LS swap engine mounts move the mounting area forward to mate up with 69 camaro frame stand, then the frame is notched and the mounting pad is very small.
Ive considered welding up an extension on the backside of the crossmember to allow the frame mount to line up with LS. Passenger side is open, need to look closer at driver side.
Thanks for the pictures Clint, those are very helpful. I think I'll end up having to make my own since it looks like no one makes one. I'll keep this thread updated.
I was snooping around again and found this, which is a low mount that runs on the main truck accessories. It won't help me because I need mine to run on the Vette spacing. 551137-LS76-3
I think this winter I may retrofit AC and use my original idea to use 551137-LS74-3. I'm thinking at the Truck AC belt has to be pretty close where the Vette main accessory spacing is. I'll have to add a few idlers like the pictures that Clint posted, but I think that will be my best bet other than going with a full aftermarket serp setup.
I want to say that TomM did something like this on one of his nova builds...i could be wrong... but you might pm him and see what he says.
Never was able to work it out, just couldn't get the brackets right, but that was a while ago.
I'm thinking now with so many brackets out, you could find a match. Seems to me with the LSA/vette spacing, you might be able to use a dirty dingo mount for say, an F-body and go from there, or at least use it as a template to make a somewhat adjustable mount.
Mine doesn't run on the main serpentine --- the low mount Groves for Corvette spacing runs on its own belt on the 4-groove drive BEHIND the main belt.
That's the trouble I'm finding. Tons of low mount options, I haven't found one that runs on the main belt. That's what I like about the ICT bracket I posted because unlike the other's I've found, the ICT brackets bolt on from the front rather than the side. What this gains me is a better shot at belt alignment since I would have to only get the depth right when modifying the brackets.
It looks like that ICTbillet bracket puts the compressor very low compared to the centerline of the crank. 1.78" center to center (crank to compressor clutch). That might be an issue for your current frame notch...
On my 78 Nova, I am running the Holley low mount AC Bracket with the late style clamshells (came factory) but my sub-frame is different than the earlier GM subframes, so I didn't have to do any notching or clearancing to make it fit. I am also running it off the rear 4-groove location on the balancer. The Holley kit puts the compressor 1/4" below the crank centerline. I understand the Holley kit won't work for what you are looking to do, but might be worth taking a look at the clearances you have if you want to run that ICT Billet bracket.
I have nothing to add to the post but wanted to comment and say that I am super impressed with the pictures being posted showing how all this stuff works. This site, and it's members=AWESOME!
06-17-2021, 12:28 PM
Any Low Mount AC that runs on the Main Accessory Drive? 
