Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Someone who sounds knowledgeable has told me that the easiest way to get engine power to drive an AC compressor so I can add AC to my '52 Packard 200 Deluxe, is to use a Packard power steering pulley and bracket. Since my Packard is manual steering, and I intend to leave it that way, this sounds interesting and potentially far easier and less costly than engineering a bracket and pulley for the compressor from scratch.

However, I can't find a photo of a Pakcard power steering bracket and pulley in place on a 51 to 54 Packard, so I can't picture how it would be done.

Can someone out there with a 51 to 54 Packard post a photo of the power steering pulley and bracket, mounted in place on the inline eight engine?

Jim G

I have often thought of doing it that way also. So I would be interested in seeing how that would all come together.

Perhaps this would make a good how to article!

BigKev: If I can get the necessary basic info and photos, I'd bve happy to do a "how-to article", as I really MUST add AC to my car very soon.

I am already a writer - I have written dozens of technical website aticles over at www.ssrfanatics.com for owners of Chevy SSRs in the course of doing a 3 year project in which I took a stock 2004 SSR from 300 hp to 575 supercharged hp. At website members' requests, I eventually wrote a 320 page e-book called "The SSR Experience" which has sold well for a couple of years so far.

I have a '55 1st Edition (NOT 2nd Edition) Chevy pickup truck project that involves a 450 hp cammed Cadillac LQ9 LS series engine, fiberglass mono leafsprings, Flaming River steering box, etc, that I am suffering some supplier delays on, so I am focusing for a while on my '52 Packard. The Packard is my ONLY running vehilce right now, so is truly my daily driver.

Jim G

Jim,

Sounds like your more than qualified. I look forward to seeing how the A/C project comes along!

Both P/S and A/C:

One question I have is that if you have a car with power steering, does it use a double groove crank and fan pulley?

Most likely a triple groove, two belts for the water pump and A/C, and one for the P/S. That's the way a Packard V8 is set up, I don't see why they would have done it different on the straight eights.

Thank-you TurboPackman!

I am forwarding this link to my ace mechanic friend, Randy, for him to study. He and I will be working on this together!

Jim G

Tell him that an internally balanced small block Ford balancer will go right on a Packard straight eight crank and a V8. Just to let you know, but make sure you buy one that is ZERO balance, or has removable weights to make it zero balance. That part is CRITICAL!!

Why not run just ONE belt for the AC AND power steering.