[Lumps!] Exhaust leaks and my "old" A/C Bracket placement

Tedski, (Jaguar Kitten)
On Sunday Dec.16, 2001 you stated that you have decided to relocate the
alternator from its usual location on a SBC and move it to the site usually
occupied by the A-6 compressor. Your words were as follows: (quote)
I’m going to put a larger GM unit in the Vee where the A-6 compressor lives,
which will solve two Jaguar problems. 1) Makes the alternator easy to access
(since they break a lot more often than compressors) and 2) uncovers the 2 or
4 spark plugs that the A-6 compressor normally hides… (unquote)
Well, this brings back vivid memories of trying to figure out why I was
always having to fix exhaust leak. Every week I’d start to hear those
telltale, raspy “whoosh-whoosh” sounds that only an exhaust leak near a
manifold can make. So then I’d dutifully dig out a wrench and proceed to
carefully crank down ever so it wouldn’t snap the head off of the bolt. Then
about the 3rd time I’d repeated this repair, I realized that only the side
that the A/C compressor was on would become loose. This lead me to surmise
that for some reason the A/C, because of its weight and possibly due to its
being out of balance when it turned it vibrated in such a way as to loosen
the exhaust manifold bolts. Not much, but just enough to cause the exhaust
leak to reappear. First I removed the Vee belt to satisfy my curiosity enough
to make my ultimate decision and take the A/C unit completely out. This
included the condenser coil (looks like a little radiator) that was in front
of the radiator. This also helped keep my engine cooler, because the
condenser had blocked the flow of air from the radiator. And once I’d taken
the A/C out, guess what? No more exhaust leaks. Hopefully I’ll replace the
A/C with a custom unit from Vintage Air. Their units are really cool (no pun
intended) and self contained. And a lot more environmentally friendly. Well,
that was my take on the A/C unit in my car…except for one final bit. I sold
all the brackets and plumbing, hardware and such, as a box case. How much I
get for it?.. $200.00 not bad seeing how I haven’t had to work on the
exhaust leaks in over a year now. And only missed having an A/C one 102
degree day last July! But it was too hot to be outside, anyway so I just fell
asleep reading a car magazine!
Albert Escalante 1978 MGB; 1957 3.4 litre (Mk.I) 1977 XJ-6L; 1985 XJ-6 (not
running)

Alski,

On Sunday Dec.16, 2001 you stated that you have decided to relocate the
alternator from its usual location on a SBC and move it to the site usually
occupied by the A-6 compressor.

Sorry Albert, that was on the V12, not on a SBC. On the V12 the
alternator is located down low in the engine in a location that’s
very difficult to access from either the top or the bottom (Chevy
engineers things to be repairable, Jaguar engineers them to look
good).

Interesting exhaust story. About the Vintage Air unit, the Sanden 508
is what I plan on using. It’s much more compact and efficient. On
lumped cars it’s probably easier to put it where the GM compressor
normally lives. Mine will go on the passenger side where the
alternator used to live. In essence just a swap.

As for the 102 degree days: open all the windows and go REALLY fast! ;-)–
-Ted – Official Jag-Lovers Teenager
'82 XJS – 5.3L V12 '82 XJS – 0.0L V0 '98 Volvo S70
GLT – 2.5L I5 Turbo
http://dupuisent.mine.nu/cars/82xjs ← pics of my OLD car, not new one
New York City, NY AIM: FordCrusherGT