A/C Condenser Fitting Issues...
Discussion
As the title indicates, I'm having A/C condenser fitting issues. Specifically, it won't fit, period!
Every other build site calls out the right side pod area as being extremely tight. If it were only that simple, I'd be fine. Instead, it seems impossible.
My side pods were pre-fit by the factory and have since been fully drilled on, so they're not going anywhere. The chassis (or maybe the body?) is slightly asymmetrical, as evidenced by the need to pack out the rear of the right side pod, so perhaps that's playing a part here.
My fuel tanks have been drilled to the chassis rails and are solidly in place. The left tank's forward edge sits just inboard of the side pod and is nearly level with the grill opening. There should be just enough room for the grill.
The right tank's forward edge, however, is right up against the side pod and approximately ½" above it.
The net effect is that I'm unable to fit the A/C condenser in the extremely minimal available space. When the angled lower condenser bracket is sitting on the tank, there's no way to get the upper bracket under the side pod:
I'm thinking about bending the fuel tank flanges down, which should rotate the outside of the tank enough to tuck the condenser under the side pod. Of course, doing so will also move the tank away from the vertical chassis tube with the result of it being less solidly mounted.
At this point, the foam wedges aren't yet in place and the grills are but a distant dream.
What am I missing from this frustrating 3D puzzle?
Ken
Every other build site calls out the right side pod area as being extremely tight. If it were only that simple, I'd be fine. Instead, it seems impossible.
My side pods were pre-fit by the factory and have since been fully drilled on, so they're not going anywhere. The chassis (or maybe the body?) is slightly asymmetrical, as evidenced by the need to pack out the rear of the right side pod, so perhaps that's playing a part here.
My fuel tanks have been drilled to the chassis rails and are solidly in place. The left tank's forward edge sits just inboard of the side pod and is nearly level with the grill opening. There should be just enough room for the grill.
The right tank's forward edge, however, is right up against the side pod and approximately ½" above it.
The net effect is that I'm unable to fit the A/C condenser in the extremely minimal available space. When the angled lower condenser bracket is sitting on the tank, there's no way to get the upper bracket under the side pod:
I'm thinking about bending the fuel tank flanges down, which should rotate the outside of the tank enough to tuck the condenser under the side pod. Of course, doing so will also move the tank away from the vertical chassis tube with the result of it being less solidly mounted.
At this point, the foam wedges aren't yet in place and the grills are but a distant dream.
What am I missing from this frustrating 3D puzzle?
Ken
Storer said:
Ken
I would think that Richard has a Skype facility on his computer so you could do it face to face for free on line.
Email and ask.
Paul
Hi Paul,I would think that Richard has a Skype facility on his computer so you could do it face to face for free on line.
Email and ask.
Paul
Another good idea, thanks. I've got some outpatient surgery scheduled for tomorrow and I just haven't been up to my usual standards of mental acuity these last few days. It's amazing how distracting a simple procedure can be. I can really empathize with people facing far more arduous situations, medical and otherwise.
Richard returned my email this morning with a couple of hints (that ought to be in the manual!) and my first pass at applying them indicates that all will be well. He suggested that I loosen the nuts on the threaded rod which would allow the tank's outer edge to rotate down and also mentioned that the tank's rear flange (against the GRP) needs to be level. Just holding it in that position shows that I'll have enough room for the condenser and grill. I'll need to re-drill the lower tank flanges to the chassis, but that's no big deal in the scheme of things. I'll probably perfect the position of the other tank, too, while I'm at it.
Meanwhile, my engine should be here by the end of the week!
Ken
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