lesson learned about a bracket and a question

[81SPIDERMATT]

while doing a timing belt job and cleaning things up a bit i decided to remove this bracket



it was on the passenger side of the engine and i thought it probably went to air conditioning or something that i was not using... and it was heavy so i left it off.... MISTAKE... when i started the car to warm up and check for coolant leaks (new radiator..Marks aluminum..awesome)... noticed it running a little rough and then found that oil was being sputtered out of the bottom one or both holes of the bracket.... reached up and put my fingers over the bolt holes and felt a sputtering wind... pushed harder and the was able to stop the sputtering and the engine smoothed out to a very nice idle.... so back it goes... my little helper has lost 2 of the bolts and a hardware trip is needed....



do you think that i could get some copper washers and just sink the bolts or should i just put the bracket back on also??....

thanks.... Matt

[narfire]

I like your idea of bolts ,thread sealant,washer and a glob of perma-gasket stuff.

[So Cal Mark]

I'd leave the bracket off and use bolts to plug the holes. That is an aftermarket ac bracket and there's no need for the extra weight. Just gotta seal the holes

[81SPIDERMATT]

thanks guys

[BEEK]

make sure the bolts are not too long, they will hit the crankshaft... this is the voice of experience

[81SPIDERMATT]

make sure the bolts are not too long, they will hit the crankshaft... this is the voice of experience

i did worry about what was on the other side of the holes so i put a couple of fat washers in to pretend the bracket was still there.... thanks