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Topic: A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L (Read 956 times) previous topic - next topic

A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L

I'm looking for the A/C and power steering accessory brackets for a 3.8L. Specifically, the brackets for a car with a FS6 or 6P148A compressor. The FS6 was available from 1982-84, the 6P148A from 5/85-1/86.

I'm trying to retrofit the system to R134a. The HR980 has viton seals, which are incompatible with R134a. Anybody happen to have these brackets lying around?

Here is the $999 retrofit kit from partsamerica.com.

Re: A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L

Reply #1 –
I take it you cannot use the FS-6??? Or was it not installed on the 3.8?? From the shop manual the mounting appears to be the same as the 6P148...

Re: A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L

Reply #2 –
Although my 1985 Helm manual never says it right out, I think you're right that the 6P148A and the FS-6 have the same mounting points. The only real difference seems to be that the 6P148A has a pressure port on the suction side and the FS-6 doesn't. No biggie since the suction hose has a port anyways. 

Between looking at my Chilton, Helm and this website, it looks like the FS-6 was used from 1982-1984, and the 6P148A was used from 5/85-1/86. I'll change my original post to show this.

Re: A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L

Reply #3 –
Easy find.. You find them yet? Cause I know exactly where a set is.. If you still need them email me.

Re: A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L

Reply #4 –
I got them this morning. I was expecting a lot of searching, but I found two sets with the 6P148 compressor at the first junkyard. $20 for the brackets. I ended up paying $50 for a compressor though. I just needed the manifolds because the compressors from Advance/Autozone come without them. A/C work is quite expensive to do "right". I'll probably end up spending ~$450 after all is said and done. New compressor w/clutch, new suction/discharge/liquid hoses.

Re: A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L

Reply #5 –
I'm a little late on this, but I just noticed the 5.0 Bird I just bought has a FS-6, while I'm using a 6P148 on my TC. While I didn't measure them, I'm 99% sure they both use the same mounting brackets..

Yea you're right about it being expensive to do it right. When I converted the wifes Grand Marquis a couple of years ago, I bought everything except the evaporator and condenser. The compressor was fairly cheap though, new was only around $140 with the clutch. Got off for about $300 total..

For my Bird they wanted $260 or so for a rebuilt compressor(dunno if that was a 6P148 or FS-6), so I just replaced the acspoogelator and hit it with some R12(know someone who has a supply). Except for having to pirate a clutch from another comp( new idler bearing was $30), it's been working fine for the last three years... Keepin' my fingers crossed.

Re: A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L

Reply #6 –
the 3.8 and 5.0 have completelly different mount points around the water pump and on the ends of the heads.. so the same brackets will not interchange. I know this one by experience.
 

Re: A/C and PS Accessory Brackets for 3.8L

Reply #7 –
Quote from: (SAS)Huer
the 3.8 and 5.0 have completelly different mount points around the water pump and on the ends of the heads.. so the same brackets will not interchange. I know this one by experience.


I'm not saying the 3.8 and 5.0 brackets will interchange... I'm saying the compressors will interchange each other with no bracket change.....