Hi guys,

I'm actually putting things back on to my '66 CC/CS 2wd with a 390 auto. This truck came with a "vintage" Mark IV AC system. It has what looks like a custom aluminum (?) flat top bracket that the compressor mounts to. I'm doing the conversion to a PS/PDB setup and am not sure what the correct setup is for mounting the PS unit on this 390 if one has an AC system on it. Can anybody tell me what the bracket/brackets look like? Is it a one piece or two separate pieces. Anybody have any pics? Also, will I need a different oil sending unit if the PS winds up being mounted lower?

Oh ya, for those with the PS setup, did you install a PS cooler/is it recommended. I've seen pics of setups without a PS cooler and those with it (usually newer finned unit) versus the metal snake tubing of the original '73 donor truck???

Putting things back on sure takes a lot longer than taking them off!
daggerNC

PS - anybody know where I can find the correct bracket(s)?

 

You have several issues here.

1. Ford made at least 6 different sets of AC-PS bracket sets for the FE, both car and truck, that I know of, and none of them interchange with each other.

2. I know of at least 3 different truck setups - and none of the backets interchange. Additionally, the sheaves on the pulleys won't match up correctly between at least two of them, either.

3. Ford made at least 2 different AC brackets for the FE that I know of. One is a high mount, to accommodate the PS pump underneath, and the other was a low mount, for a non-PS setup, and you can't put the pump underneath because there is no room.

4. I know of at least 2 different PS brackets as well. Fortunately the same pump is used, so no worries there. The most common PS is the two piece stamped steel type. You can see it on later trucks up to '79, for 351, 400, 460 and maybe the 302, but only for design comparison. None of them will fit the FE. (None of them will fit any other family of engine, either.) The other type of PS bracket is a complex multi-piece setup that is mostly cast iron pieces.
The stamped steel pump bracket is a half-moon shape that cradles the pump body. It mounts to the pump in the front and at the back around the pressure fitting. This bracket has three studs sticking up away from the pump.
The other half of this type is the block bracket, with three long slots for the three studs to mate to. The slots allow for the belt adjustment. Once you see one you won't mistake it - but just looking at one won't tell you if it is an FE bracket or not, at least as far as I know.

I tell you all this because I learned the hard way that buying FE pulleys and brackets piecemeal was a waste of time and money because there were so many different setups. The best answer is to find an FE with all the accessories you want, preferably out of a truck, and harvest all the pulleys and brackets from one engine. this was how I finally got everything I needed and made it work.

You may be lucky, and your AC may be compatible with the stock PS setup, but if you have the opportunity to get everything from one truck, take it to avoid having configuration problems.

Good luck!

 

I also put in a PS cooler and yes, you can use the factory snake tube.
My thought there is which is cheaper: the snake tube or a cooler?
Who has more influence, the engineer or the bean counter? (Remember, your M-16 was made by the lowest bidder!)

I opted for a cooler rather than the tube. I got one from a '98 F-150, and it fits perfectly angled inside the frame rail underneath. You can use an inexpensive transmisison cooler too, and run rubber lines.

I put the cooler inside the frame rail because now I have a 460 with factory serpentine belts, and the snake tube won't fit properly in its stock location.

 

Thanks bj66 - seems like you've seen a few of these brackets before Based on your heads-up I'll try to find an FE engine with both AC and PS (should it only be a 390 or will any FE series engine do?) still attached and get all the hardware for both (not sure how long this will take).

I already have the factor PS cooling line snake that came off of the '73 donor truck, so I guess I'll use that rather than spending more money. Interestingly my '77 F150 has factory AC and PS (but it's a 460 engine) and the PS doesn't have any cooling system on it - that's why I asked the question to see if it is really necessary or not.

Thanks again!