Topic: Finish of factory AC and Thermactor parts

[Gbailey1018]

Also, can anyone answer some questions about the clamps to be used in the smog system?  I know there are six of them - four of which I believe are supposed to Wittek 7 and 10.

Are the Wittek clamps that are used for the smog hoses are used anywhere else in the engine bay?

Can anyone confirm that the other two clamps between the canister and the pump are supposed to be tower clamps?

Thank you.

[Bob Gaines]

Thanks for all of the replies - always appreciated.  And J_Speegle, thanks for looking for photos.  I've been looking for five years for another example of my particular configuration, to no avail.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, I don't have any additional photos of the engine bay from 2017, which is when I inherited the car (I wasn't planning on keeping and restoring the car at that time -- silly me.)  Picture below is of the engine bay as of today, but that isn't relevant for this conversation because I have taken out the Thermactor system so I added the adjustable pulley to the dogleg bracket so I could use the AC when it was ready (but as you can see, the AC compressor has no belt on it, as that is not yet ready either.)

And yes, I know there are many parts in my current engine bay that are not concours, including the radiator cap, AC compressor (wrong color), oil cap (wrong color), horn wiring (aftermarket relays), export brace (wrong style), distributor cap (wrong color), compressor hoses (attached backwards), etc. I'm sure there are others you can spot right away.  I hope to address all of it eventually, but I have to walk before I can run.

Regardless, what I can say with 100% certainty is that when I got the car in 2017, the original AC compressor and Thermactor system were installed with the same belt running both and the AC compressor lateral bracket was the dog leg variety without a pulley on it.  There was also a fixed idler pulley below the compressor, which is just out of sight in this current photo.

Bob, I have the Mannel book -- what pages are you looking at to confirm that the adjustable bracket wasn't used - are you looking at p. 8-54?  As mentioned previously, my car was built on 3/1/68 so it was literally on the official switchover day.  Based on what I know about my uncle, there is no way he would have switched out a newer stamped steel bracket (with top and side connections to the compressor) for an older dogleg bracket just for the hell of it.  I wonder if the SJ line workers that day wanted to first deplete their inventory of the older bracket - did stuff like that occur?

Page 8 K 13 has the picture of the thermactor A/C system you have been looking for. The written description after "C" describes how the smog pump took the place of the adjustable idler.

[Bob Gaines]

Also, can anyone answer some questions about the clamps to be used in the smog system?  I know there are six of them - four of which I believe are supposed to Wittek 7 and 10.

Are the Wittek clamps that are used for the smog hoses are used anywhere else in the engine bay?

Can anyone confirm that the other two clamps between the canister and the pump are supposed to be tower clamps?

Thank you.

The Wittek clamps that are used on the thermactor do not get used any other place in the engine compartment. The hose from the canister to the pump uses the tower type Wittek clamps.

[Gbailey1018]

The Wittek clamps that are used on the thermactor do not get used any other place in the engine compartment. The hose from the canister to the pump uses the tower type Wittek clamps.

Excellent - I found exactly four Wittek clamps in my fastener bags.  Now I know where they belong.  Thanks!

[Gbailey1018]

Page 8 K 13 has the picture of the thermactor A/C system you have been looking for. The written description after "C" describes how the smog pump took the place of the adjustable idler.

Aha!  Photo A on 8 K 13 is my exact configuration -- showing both the dogleg bracket and the fixed idler pulley below the compressor that I have!  Wonderful confirmation!  Thank you!

Looking at the same photo, the dogleg bracket appears to be a lot lighter in shade than the compressor -- can I achieve that lighter shade with the bluing?  Or should I be using another method (e.g., grey powder coating) to try to approximate the look?

[Bob Gaines]

Aha!  Photo A on 8 K 13 is my exact configuration -- showing both the dogleg bracket and the fixed idler pulley below the compressor that I have!  Wonderful confirmation!  Thank you!

Looking at the same photo, the dogleg bracket appears to be a lot lighter in shade than the compressor -- can I achieve that lighter shade with the bluing?  Or should I be using another method (e.g., grey powder coating) to try to approximate the look?

Of course those examples are of well used engines that may have dirt etc. which may cause things to be darker but I would zinc phosphate the bracket.You can control how dark by how long you leave it in the solution.I also have a bucket with a quick black product that I think Eastwood sells. It is different but will produce a similar look that can be controlled by how long you keep it in the solution . Wiping on gun blueing on a large item can produce a splotchy non uniform look.

[J_Speegle]

Powder coating will produce typically a painted or coated look IMHO

......... Wiping on gun blueing on a large item can produce a splotchy non uniform look.

On medium size pieces that you want dark (as opposed to other looks) I've found spraying can address this. Also depends on the surface area. Items like coil springs, though large are easy to color. Also some of the produces at least use to, be available in concentrated form so making a gallon to dip the part in. Using a bag to hold the fluid reduces the need for allot of product also.

Many paths to the same goal

[J_Speegle]

Can anyone confirm that the other two clamps between the canister and the pump are supposed to be tower clamps?

Not always for some reason - though in judging events they are likely expected to be that way. Some unrestored examples and a factory illustration as a bonus

8R01C139xx




8R01C158xxx




8F01C157xxx

[rockhouse66]

I have found that the S hose can use either style clamp.  Witness marks on an original hose will readily identify which clamp was used.  I agree that the tower clamps seem to be most common and, if in doubt, that is what I would use.

[Bob Gaines]

I have found that the S hose can use either style clamp.  Witness marks on an original hose will readily identify which clamp was used.  I agree that the tower clamps seem to be most common and, if in doubt, that is what I would use.

+1

[Gbailey1018]

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm going to go with the tower clamps on the S hose.