How strong do you think this will be?

[79loserbluebu]

I have a Goodwrench 350 crate engine, the 8.5 compression one, and I'm doing some upgrades around the engine. I'm adding a serpentine setup from a 88' F-body, and since I have only one accessory bolt hole in the passenger side, I decided to try and fabricate something to strengthen that side up, instead of taking the head off, drilling, and tapping a new hole. Here's what I have. The wall of the aluminum is relatively thin, I don't have an exact measurement, but after tightening the bolts down, I didn't see anything flexing when I was shaking it forward and back, left to right. This bracket also bolts to the fuel pump pushrod bolt area. The brace mounts on a hole in the intake, and to one of the bolt holes on the A/C compressor bracket. Here's a picture.

I just made this with some tubing that I had laying around. I'm currently in the process of wiring up my relays for the electric fan so I just pretty much stopped what I was doing there to start this :lol: . But if you guys think I should make it stronger like the solid braces that were on the stock A/C compressors, let me know please. Also, the compressor does feel a little bit lighter than the stock one.

Edit: The car will be street driven, rarely going to the track. I'm also deleting the air pump and using the alternative belt routing so I do not need the pump delete pulley.

 

[Doober]

There is also usually some sort of brace that runs somewhat parallel to the engine, to keep the belt from pulling the compressor forward. I don't have any supports on mine - just an A/C delete pulley right now - and it's been fine, but I may add some in the future if I stick with this setup and add A/C.

 

[79loserbluebu]

I tried finding some braces if they used them from the factory, but came up empty. I think on the v-belt setups from F-bodies they did. I may make another one for the A/C compressor that like you said, runs parallel and bolts to another location, but I'm not sure yet

 

[Doober]

I've seen them run to bosses on the intake with later models.

 

[fastheavychevy]

I say make it stroner maybe something that goes from that one lower corner to the header. I has seen ac brackets for heads with no accesory holes maybe those will help with some mods. but def. you need more the ac pulls alot its under a heavy load once its charged up. I wouldnt be suprised if the head accesory hole breaks off or strips it looks thin and weak. make more brackets please..............

I have a Goodwrench 350 crate engine, the 8.5 compression one, and I'm doing some upgrades around the engine. I'm adding a serpentine setup from a 88' F-body, and since I have only one accessory bolt hole in the passenger side, I decided to try and fabricate something to strengthen that side up, instead of taking the head off, drilling, and tapping a new hole. Here's what I have. The wall of the aluminum is relatively thin, I don't have an exact measurement, but after tightening the bolts down, I didn't see anything flexing when I was shaking it forward and back, left to right. This bracket also bolts to the fuel pump pushrod bolt area. The brace mounts on a hole in the intake, and to one of the bolt holes on the A/C compressor bracket. Here's a picture.

I just made this with some tubing that I had laying around. I'm currently in the process of wiring up my relays for the electric fan so I just pretty much stopped what I was doing there to start this :lol: . But if you guys think I should make it stronger like the solid braces that were on the stock A/C compressors, let me know please. Also, the compressor does feel a little bit lighter than the stock one.

Edit: The car will be street driven, rarely going to the track. I'm also deleting the air pump and using the alternative belt routing so I do not need the pump delete pulley.