Help with front cam cover removal '79 308GTS

Compressor removal trick is to:
0) Unplug the A/C electric clutch (Small connector on wire coming out of the top of the A/C bracket & going to the engine.)
1) Remove the A/C belt tensioner
2) Undo the metal clip that's holding the A/C hoses up against a small box frame member so they can be moved. Check to make sure that the A/C hose fittings are not cutting into the fuel line that's routed close to them.
4) remove the 3 nuts from the studs that mount the compressor. The nuts are on TOP of the mounting bracket. You have to use a ratchet with a short socket. After you've backed the nut out a bit, you may find that you don't have space to get the ratchet off. Screw the nut on a bit & use a box wrench (or a GearWrench ratchet end if you've got one.)
Believe the nuts are 17mm. There is a washer & a rubber bushing under the nut.

This should let you work the compressor down & out of the bracket. You can then hang the compressor over the fuel tank by the hoses.

Once the compressor is hanging over the fuel tank, you've got enough room to remove the compressor mounting bracket from the cam cover, then remove the cam cover. Except for the earliest cars there's a fibreglass dust cover on the back of the cam cover that has to be removed. It's got a lot of 6mm

You're going to have to move the large coolant pipe that comes down diagonally across the front of the engine. Remove the coolant fill cap & then drain about 2 to 2.5 gallons of coolant out. Remove the top of the pipe from the hose, & loosten the hose clamp for the pipe's bottom end just enough so that the pipe will pivot on the host. Swing the pipe down slowly. If you get a gush of coolant before it's down,then drain some more out. Saves completely draining the system.

Hope this gets you going.

 

Some people just hang the AC compressor but I take mine out. I did not need to remove the gas tank. Need to remove all of the brackets that support the AC and then take the studs out of the block that hold the belt cover. I would double nut them to remove.Also need to remove the AC belt tensioner and push the Alt. aside. If you have the engine cover off you can snake out the AC unit from the top or bottom through the wheel well.Also take all of the brackets off of the AC compressor. Watch out for the spacers. Just need to ake it one step at a time and don't get to frustrated.

 

Ha..Welcome to the world of the 308 a/c compressor!! These are a pain to remove. I have done a bunch so there not so bad now. But I'll never forget the fist one I did!!

You do not have to remove the fuel tank to do this. The water pipe is in the way slightly but you can work around it. But if you feel it is easier to remove it then go ahead.

First you want to remove the the water pump belt and loosen the alternator belt. You won't beable to remove it because the a/c belt will be in the way.

Remove the a/c belt tensioner.

Remove the lower a/c bracket ( the 2 large 17mm bolts. careful of the washers so they don't roll away and hide on you)

I assume you have the intake air duct removed.

Working in the the wheel well undo the a/c lines from the compressor at the lines. (1 1/16 and 7/8 wrench sizes i think) If the system is full remove them SLOWLY!! and let the refrigerant seep out. Once removed put some tape over the open ends of the compressor and the lines.

Working from up top in the engine bay remove the 2 17mm nuts from the compressor studs. Leave the forward most nut in place. Be very careful of the little "U" shapes spacers that they don't fall out and hide. Note how many are on each stud for reassembly.

Once the 2 17mm nuts are off, use 2 standard (none nylock) nuts of the same thread and put both on one stud. Using 2 wrenches tighten both the nuts thight together. Once tight trun the bottom nut of the 2 only. This will trun the stud out of the compressor. Do the same for the other stud as well. Once it's low enough remove the belt along with the others.

Now once both the rear studs are removed from the compressor lossen the front nut. The compressor will start to come down. As it coming down support it with you free hand so it just doesn't fall out.

Once it's free rest it between the gas tank and alternator.

Now you can remove the upper bracket. There are 3 nuts that hold it in place. 2 17mm and one 13mm.

The compressor comes out the top. You will have to remove some studs in the timing cover itself using the method described above. I beleive the studs that hold the a/c belt tentioner an one other must be removed to clear the compressor clutch assembly.

It's a tight fit coming out so be careful and just wiggle and adjust the compressor until it pops out. Careful the unit is kinda heavy so watch you're back.

Go have a beer and remove for sale sign from car.

I hope I didn't leave anything out.

 

I'll Email you privately for details on the car.

 

Dude, I just spent $30K for my pristine '79. I would say in "needs work" condition, yours would probably be worth $24K. Just put it in the AutoTrader, or up on eBay, and spend the $9K on diapers!

-Wayne

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