230Sl A/C Installation--need help

[George Des]

Tried this one on the other BB with no response but here goes again.
Tried this one on the other BB but no direct response yet--can any of you guys help out?


Still have not been able to locate a pulley assembly that will allow installation of the A/C to the 230Sl application. I've got all the remaining parts including the compressor bracket. Ray Paul gave me some numbers for the pulley assembly (108-466-04-15 or 108-466-02-15) Inquired about this from Van Diijk but was told it comes with the counterweight--sounds somewhat strange. If anyone has a 230SL w/ A/c installed and can take a good look at the belt/pulley set up pleaase let me know how yours is arranged. I may have to visit the local salvage yard--I know there's a 250SE and 280SE w/a/c sitting out there that I may be able to get this assembly from--not today--we've got 4" snow on the ground! Understand the assembly may have six vice 3 holes but not sure that will matter. Thanks guys--George Des

[Benz Dr.]

I'd really reconsider the whole idea if I were you.
 I'm completely out of 230SL cranks because they have a tendancy to snap off behind the front pulley. AC only makes the condition worse.
 What I think happens is it somehow comes loose and the dowel pins wear away at the end of the crank. The pulley starts to vibrate and eventually it snaps off. Useing a rotary compressor would help over the regular piston type but I still wouldn't do it.

Dan c

Daniel G Caron

[ja17]

Hello George Des.,
You and Jerry P. are working on the same project. Maybe you two can compare notes. I brought this old posting to the front page so you can review it "crank pully for installing A/C".

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[George Des]

Thanks for the replies on this. I'm planning on going with a rotatary compressor for more efficency and less vibration. Has anyone with an add on A/C to the 230Sl exeprienced the crankshaft breakage Dr Benz mentions ?  Thanks

George Des

[n/a]

Sorry it has been so long for the update on my a/c instalation.
It is up and working great. no problems at all.
(except of course that it is diffucult to cool a soft top car)
I did use the pully that joe supplied me fit like it was made for it.
as for the bracket i borrowed a bracke from a fried that was supplied by Buds Benz It was a little difficult to reproduce but not imposable. I used a sandon rotory compressor with a little smaller pully. This was to help cooling at idle. I also used an aftermarket underdash unit that goes way up under the dash, it looks and works great. the only thing left for me to do is replace the 3 position switch on my under dash unit. Right now it only works on High.
As for the hoses i went to my local NAPA after every thing was instaled and the parts guy and i spent about 4 hours making and test fitting each one. i forgot to mention that i did have to upgrade my altornator. to a 55amp unit.
     

Jerry P.

[George Des]

Jerry--thanks for your reply. Can you give me more details of the belt arrangement and how the pulley mounts to the crank ? I have the original 113 style bracket with an interface setup for the Sanden. I also have the 280SL MB dealer installation guide, but as I have said the crank and water pump set ups are a little different. What did you do for the condensor mounting to the radiator ?--Thx--George Des